Chinese scientists have developed a new method to diagnose the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which leads to AIDS, in five minutes.

The reagent, developed by biological medicine company Keju based in Tianjin, is claimed to be the first of its kind in China. The reagent, HIV1+2, could identify both the disease and its types in five minutes either before or after operations, in blood collecting, community medical services and physical examinations, the developers said.

The new medicine has received a state patent and is under production.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2003)