HOW ACCURATE ARE LATERAL FLOW TESTS?
The two main types of modern diagnostic tests – PCR and Lateral Flow Tests – differ significantly in their detection capabilities and use cases.
PCR tests, known for their sensitivity, detect the genetic material (RNA) of the pathogen. They are able to identify very low viral loads and are therefore able to confirm pre-symptomatic individuals who are about to become infectious. This early warning is crucial for disease control. However, these tests require lab facilities, are more expensive, and may take days to deliver results, by which time symptoms may have developed somewhat reducing this advantage.
Conversely, Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) detect a specific protein (antigen) produced by the active pathogen. Instead of diagnosing an infection, they are better suited to determining if an individual is infectious. Therefore, they're crucial in identifying symptomatic individuals with high pathogen loads.
While LFDs may not be as sensitive in detecting low pathogen loads, they offer speed and affordability, producing results within minutes without the need for a lab. Impressively, they've demonstrated significant sensitivity in detecting individuals at their peak infectiousness, particularly those with high pathogen loads who are primarily responsible for disease transmission.
In summary, PCR tests are able to detect pre-symptomatic individuals, while Lateral Flow tests excel in identifying symptomatic individuals with high pathogen loads. Both play unique and vital roles in controlling the spread of infectious diseases.
Key terms:
PCR tests (Polymerase Chain Reaction tests): These are diagnostic tests that work by detecting the genetic material (RNA) of the pathogen. They are sensitive and effective at identifying pre-symptomatic individuals, but may take longer to deliver results and are usually more expensive.
Lateral Flow Tests (LFDs): Also known as rapid antigen tests, they identify the presence of a specific protein (antigen) produced by an active pathogen. These tests are faster and more affordable, designed primarily to determine if an individual is infectious.
Pre-symptomatic individuals: These are people who have been infected by a pathogen and carry the disease but have not yet started showing symptoms. They are particularly important in disease control as they can unknowingly spread the disease.
Symptomatic individuals: These are people who display symptoms indicative of an infection.
High pathogen loads: This refers to the quantity of a pathogen present in an individual's body. A high pathogen load often correlates with higher infectiousness.
Antigen: This is a substance that triggers an immune response, especially the production of antibodies. In the context of LFDs, the antigen is a specific protein produced by the active pathogen.
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid): RNA is a nucleic acid present in all living cells. It acts as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins. In the context of PCR tests, it refers to the genetic material of the pathogen that the test is designed to detect.
Senzo’s Amplified Lateral Flow (ALF) platform provides the world’s most accurate lateral flow rapid test
Over 10,000 times more sensitive than leading competitors and 100% as accurate as PCR
Founded with the goal of developing PCR accurate point-of-care diagnostics for the world’s most deadly diseases, Senzo Health builds high sensitivity, low-cost, real-time testing technologies.