MICROBIOLOGY

SEMINAR

Presented by- Roll

numbers :203-213
?
RAPID TESTS
Objectives
:
• Introduction
• Evolution
• Types
• Principle
• Applications
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Future perspectives
What are Rapid diagnostic tests?
“Point of care test”
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) are tests to aid in the quick
diagnosis of diseases.

Results are available within half an hour

Available in different formats:

Card, cassette, strip, and dipsticks
 Evolution of rapid
tests
The story of rapid tests originate in the medical field where they were
developed for providing portable diagnostic tools that can be operated
directly by physicians or by patients themselves

The first rapid test dates back to 1962 - New method to measure
glucose in blood was developed

Next milestone was reached in 1976 with the approval of three home
based pregnancy tests by FDA

In 1990s point of need testing started to attract interest of scientists and

academics

New technologies were developed

Fig. Development of pregnancy test kits
Types -
• Lateral flow assays(Immunochromatographic assays)
• Flow through assays
• Agglutination assays
• Solid phase assays
1. Lateral flow assays
(Immunochromatographic assays)
• Based on lateral flow technique

• Widely used in laboratories

• It uses principle of
immunochromatography and capillary
action to detect molecule of interest in
sample

• examples - Pregnancy test kit, HIV

 2. Flow-through assays
• This method is based on principle of antigen-
antibody reaction, which is detected by using
a colorimetric system

• Based on vertical flow technique

• Example : HIV TRI-DOT test

 3. Agglutination assays
• Agglutination assays are tests based on agglutination
reactions

• An agglutination reaction is a visible clumping noted when

an antigen combines with an antibody

• Capiilary agglutination deviceshave been used as rapid

tests, but now are less popular

• example- Widal test

 4. Solid phase assays
• Solid phase assays uses Ag-Ab which are immobilizer on
a strip, followed by adding test serums to the strip and
allowed to react

• The entire reaction occurs on the surface of the support

strip and end result is seen as a spot

• example - Typhoid test

Procedure-
Ag coated strip is placed in the well with the specimen

Ag reacts with specific Ab (if present in the sample)

A washing step removes unbound Ab

Now place the strip in a well containing the detector system

Second washing is done to remove unbound material

A coloured spot shows a positive test (denoting presence of specific Ab)

• A control spot validates each reaction

Interpretation
 Application
s
• Diagnosis of infectious diseases.
examples: -HIV
Influenza
Covid-19
• Monitoring of chronic conditions
examples-diabetes and cholesterol levels
• Screening for pregnancy and illicit.
Drugs rapid tests enable rapid screening for pregnancy, drug use, and other
substances of abuse.
• Emergency situations and resource-limited settings.
 Advantage
s
• Rapid results ( low turnover time)
• Accurate
• Simple to use
• Low costs
• Easy interpretation of results
• Technical expertise is not required
• Limited steps of sample processing
Disadvantages
• Less sensitive
• Cross -reactions with nonspecific antibodies may lead to false positive
results
• Obstruction of pores due to matrix components
• Good antibody preparation is obligatory
• Depends on subjective interpretation which may lead to false results in
weakly infected individuals
Future perspectives

• Rapid test technology continue to evolve, with ongoig efforts to improve sensitivity, specificity
and usability
• Advancement in nanotechnology, microfluidics, and miniaturisation driving innovations and
rapid test development
• Integration of rapid test with digital health platform and artificial intelligence hold promise for
enhancing diagnostic accuracy and accessibility
 Conclusio
n
• Rapid tests play a crucial role in modern healthcare by providing rapid and accessible
diagnostic solutions.

• Despite their limitations, their benefits outweigh the challenges, making them
indispensable tools for diagnosis and screening

• Continued research and innovation in rapid test technology are essential for improving
patient care and public health outcomes:
Bibliograph
y
• Amita Jain, Microbiology Practical Manual, Edited by Vimala Venketesh and Jyotsna
Agarwal, 1st edition; KGMU Lucknow 2018,p195-200
• Apurba S Sastry, Essentials of Medical Microbiology, Edited by Apurba S Sastry &
Sandhya Bhat, 3rd Edition, New Delhi 2021; pg 89-91
• https://www.intechopen.com/
• https://www.abingdonhealth.com/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
The most awaited slide!!!