Twentieth anniversary of first HIV test

In 1985 it was estimated that the test, developed by Abbott, would help prevent 50û150 cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) per year in the USA, through the screening of blood used in transfusions. At that time, the extent of the AIDS pandemic had not been realised, so the full value of the test had yet to become apparent. Joe Nemmers, president of Abbott Diagnostics, commented: ôLooking back 20 years, itÆs hard to imagine a time when the primary purpose of an HIV test was to screen one nationÆs blood supply. In 1985, individuals who tested positive had few treatment options and were given, on average, just a year to live. Now, 20 years later, we know that HIV transcends all cultural and economic boundaries, and thanks to testing and medication, AIDS has become a chronic disease rather than a death sentence.ö Following US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the Abbott HIV test in March 1985, the company continued to lead the way in HIV testing. Today, over half of the worldÆs donated blood supply is screened with Abbott retroviral or hepatitis assays. The recent launch of the new Abbott ARCHITECT HIV antigen/antibody combination assay detects antibodies against HIV-1 and/or HIV-2, and HIV p24 antigen, and confirms AbbottÆs place at the forefront of diagnostic technology.