Abstract
Despite significant advancements made in the development of
anti-retroviral (ARV) therapeutics, infections caused by HIV remain a serious
threat to human health. At the early stage of infection, HIV penetrates the
blood-brain-barrier (BBB) to enter the central nervous system (CNS), causing
neuroAIDS as well as the development of latent HIV reservoirs in the CNS.
Progression of HIV infection can gradually cause neuro-inflammation,
neurodegeneration, and other related diseases such as, for example,
HIV-encephalitis (HIVE). Additionally, neurological disorders associated with
HIV infection can become more severe with patients who consume substances of
abuse such as, for example, cocaine. Currently, enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay (ELISA),
real time/quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT/Q-PCR), and western blot
are the most commonly used analytical tools for monitoring HIV infection by
estimating p24 antigen, LTR level, and/or protein expression. Optical
assays-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system has also shown utility in
quantifying CD4+ cells for detecting the progression of HIV infections.
Unfortunately, these methods are expensive, time consuming (turnaround
detection time of 6-8 hours), and require technical expertise in
implementation.FIU inventors have developed an electrochemical method-based
on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for the rapid assessment of
HIV-infection on using substance of abuse and specific targeted therapeutic
drugs. The detection of HIV infection is accomplished by measuring the
electrochemical impedance of cells found in the CNS and/or the peripheral
nervous system (PNS), and determining changes in the electrophysiology of the
cells by comparing the measured electrochemical response of the cells with
pre-determined control measurements. Results confirmed that HIV-infection,
cocaine exposure, and therapeutic mechanism of drug affected electro-physiology
of cells which is detected as a function of charge transfer resistance (Rct).
Benefit
Enables rapid assessment of HIV infection (e.g., less than 20 minutes)Suitable for point-of-care (POC) disease monitoring and treatment Allows timely treatment adjustment
Market Application
Diagnosis and management of progression of HIV infections in the presence of a substance of abuse and/or therapeutic agent(s)
Brochure
