In 2005, Atlas Genetics, a company created by the University of Bath, created a device known as the Atlas IO system that can help detect the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia. The new device can detect chlamydia in just 30 minutes or less.
This means that patients with the disease can get tested and treated in just a single visit to a clinic, eurekalert.org reported. Every year, the World Health Organization records millions of cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) all over the world. Unfortunately, the number does not decrease with each succeeding year, thus, a quick and effective diagnostic tool is needed for health experts to diagnose the infection and stop it from spreading.
The device was recently approved by the European Union (EU) to be sold to the public. According to the Telegraph, chlamydia is the most common type of STI in the United Kingdom. In 2013, there were more than 200,000 people who tested positive of the infection. Serious health condition may happen if chlamydia is not treated. Some of the lifelong health problems include infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PIS), and reactive arthritis.
Professor Chris Frost's research was the one that was used to help create the test. He is the head of the Chemistry department in the University of Bath. He explained that in order to make sure the spread of infection, especially sexually transmitted infections, fast and easy diagnosis is needed because it will allow doctors to start the treatment right away. The IO system uses DNA probes to correctly discover diseases.
John Clarkson who is the CEO of Atlas Genetics said: "STIs are on the rise and the faster a diagnosis can be made, the faster treatment can be given, not only benefiting the patient but also saving time and money. We believe that our io platform will play a key role in the future of STI diagnosis."
The testing will operate not just in Europe but in the US as well. The chlamydia test was launched first, but other tests for other diseases like gonorrhea, trichomonas vaginalis and other sexually transmitted infections will follow.
Video Credit: youtube.com/AtlasGenetics
