India launches new test to check HIV/AIDS infection in children

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) India is among the few countries in the world to introduce DNA polymerase Chain Reaction test for effectively testing HIV/AIDS in children, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss said in a written reply that currently used rapid ELISA tests detect antibodies to HIV which are present in children of HIV positive mothers and may give false positive results in children under 18 months of age.

The new DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction, a dry blood sampling method of testing, collects blood samples of children under 18 months of age on a filter paper and after drying, this will be tested for proviral DNA of HIV, he said.

In another reply, Dr Ramadoss said under the Phase III of the National AIDS Control Programme, one Plasma Fortification Unit would be set up and made operational to provide life saving F8 and F9 protein to patients suffering from haemophilia about 12180 of whom are registered with the Hemophilia Federation of India.

The proposed unit would have the capacity to process 50,000 litres of plasma annually and the protein would be supplied by the unit itself to various hospitals of the country to cater to need of Haemohilia patients, he added.

UNI