Abbott early-stage detection system lauded

Abbott's Architect HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay has had a significant impact on the way in which healthcare professionals treat people with HIV.

Peter Leone, professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pointed out that recently-infected individuals tend to be responsible for a large number of transmissions because they are not aware of their illness.

Since being introduced in 2010, Abbott's Architect fourth-generation HIV testing approach has allowed the disease to be detected earlier, which creates significant benefits, according to experts at an American Association for Clinical Chemistry annual meeting sponsored by the firm.

"Identifying more people earlier offers a significant opportunity for counselling, which can reduce high-risk behaviours and also initiate antiretroviral treatment for early-stage infection," explained Professor Leone.

At the same event, data was presented to delegates suggesting many Americans may have low vitamin D levels, with a variety of factors contributing to make this so.