Flow-through test: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:06, 10 March 2016

Revision as of 06:29, 11 March 2016

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{{DISPLAYTITLE: Rapid Vertical Flow Tests}}

'''Flow-through tests''' are a type of diagnostic assay that allows users to test for the presence of a biomarker, usually a specific [[antibody]], in a sample such as blood. Detection of a specific biomarker aids in the diagnosis of and allows therapeutic action to be initiated quickly. The field of applications for this technology is wide, whereas generally all applications applying [[lateral flow test]]s can be replaced by flow-through assays. Commercial applications mainly target testing for infectious disease, both by viruses (e.g. [[HIV]], [[Hepatitis C]], [[Hepatitis B]] <ref name="medmiramedmira_b">http://medmira.com/products</ref>

) or bacteria (e.g. [[Syphilis]]<ref name="medmira_amedmira_b">http://medmira.com/products</ref>

or [[Helicobacter pylori]] <ref name="medmira_b">http://medmira.com/products</ref>).

== Applications & History ==

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In the mid to late 1990’s, a significant number of manufactures switched to newly developed lateral flow tests. However that switch did cause problems as the technology was owned by a company who took an aggressive stance to protect its IP, and have done so successfully. Other companies who did not make the switch further developed flow-through. Some of those companies such as Bio-Rad continued to use original version of the technology that dated back to the late 1980s. Other companies have evolved the technology to varying degrees.

The evolved flow-through tests have benefits that rival or exceed lateral flow technology: they can be transported and stored at room temperature for prolonged periods time and allow rapid diagnostic of multiple diseases on-site with results within minutes.<ref name="medmira_c">http://medmira.com/products/multiplo</ref> This makes them the preferred method in e.g. large screening campaigns but also in situations of accidental blood contact or during labour when immediate treatment of a child exposed to HIV during birth by a HIV- positive mother can significantly reduce mother-to-child transmission.<ref name="rapid-diagnostics">http://www.medmira.com/products/technology</ref>

== Principle of flow-through tests ==

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== Advantages of flow-through tests ==

Advantages of flow-through tests:

* Detection of multiple pathogens in one test – combinations of up to three pathogens e.g. HIV with Hepatitis C and B are commercially available.<ref name="medmiramedmira_b" />

* Instant results within minutes - up to 5x faster result compared to e.g. lateral flow diagnostic assays.<ref name="medmira_e">.http://medmira.com/products/technology</ref>

* Speed and independence of laboratory equipment decrease costs and e.g. enable easy mass-testing.<ref name="rapid-diagnostics" />