Resources

A prototype of a novel diagnostic assay for cervical pre-cancer and cancer has been developed in both a sandwich ELISA-based and a lateral flow–based format (“strip test”). The test specifically detects presence of high-risk HPV-E6 and therefore promises to be of higher predictive value for cervical pre-cancer and cancer than other assays detecting merely presence of HPV. Presented at: 22rd International Papillomavirus Conference and Clinical Workshop, September 1, 2006; Vancouver, Canada.

This poster demonstrates the predictive validity of an assay developed by Arbor Vita and PATH. For this study, cervical swab specimens collected from women screened, diagnosed, and managed in rural settings in China were tested for the presence of HPV-16 DNA then examined for HPV16-E6 expression. Results confirmed E6 is a potential diagnostic marker. Presented at: 23rd Papillomavirus Conference and Clinical Workshop, September 1, 2006; Prague, Czech Republic.

This poster outlines the evaluation of two immunochromatographic strip test platforms for the best limit of detection: one uses an antibody colloidal gold conjugate which is visually interpreted yielding qualitative results, and the other uses an antibody paramagnetic particle conjugate which is read by an instrument yielding quantitative results. The resulting limits of detection of these two methods are compared to the target limit of detection for an E6 assay of ~50 pg. Presented at: 23rd Papillomavirus Conference and Clinical Workshop, September 1, 2006; Prague, Czech Republic.

This issue of Directions in Global Health features five PATH projects: our collaboration with the World Health Organization on the Meningitis Vaccine Project; prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Ukraine; a small grants program that is catalyzing behavior change in Africa; the Inter-Act project, which is training truck drivers to slow the HIV epidemic in India; and an evaluation of neonatal resuscitators.