How Does the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit Work?
Following the removal of two years of pandemic confinement measures, the world is now facing upsurges in the circulation of various other respiratory viruses, such as influenza and RSV. These new challenges indicate the growing need for rapid, accurate, innovative, convenient, affordable, and accessible diagnostic devices for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens with similar seasonal patterns and symptoms such as influenza and RSV. As such, the development of multiplex assays such as our SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit offer numerous advantages for public health and infection management. Read along to learn more about the principle of the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit, the test procedure, and its advantages.
What is the principle of the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit?
In general, rapid antigen tests detect proteins specific to a certain pathogen that may be present in the collected samples and deliver results in real-time. This technology has been utilized for the detection of many pathogens such as strep, influenza, malaria, and HIV. In a nutshell, the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the simultaneous qualitative detection of antigens specific to SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in human nasopharyngeal samples.
The kit comes in a lateral flow test format and targets a commonly expressed protein for each virus. Following the transfer of the specimen to the assigned well, the liquid flows along the surface of the kit via capillary flow. The test kit incorporates multiple sets of antibodies specific to each virus which bind and capture the viral antigens present in the processed specimen during its flow along the surface of the kit. The use of labeled antibodies allows for a colored line to appear in the control line (C) and the test line (T). The presence of the control line (C) indicates the validity of the results, while the presence of the test line (T) indicates that the result is positive for that pathogen.
How to perform the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit?
The test procedure for the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit is composed of sample collection, sample processing, and test performance. In order to collect the nasopharyngeal swab samples, the patient is first asked to tilt their head back to straighten the nasal passage. The sterile swab is slowly inserted into the nasopharynx until a slight resistance is met. The swab is turned a few times close to the inner wall of the nasal cavity before its removal.
In order to process the collected sample, the used swab is inserted in the extraction tube and rotated within the extraction buffer a few times along the inner wall of the extraction tube. In order to ensure that the collected sample is completely eluted into the buffer, the swab head is squeezed along the inner wall of the tube before breaking it at the marked point and closing the tube with the dropper head. Finally, the test cassette is removed from its package and placed in a horizontal surface. The processed sample is added to the assigned wells in the kit for SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV. The timer is started, and the results are read within the period instructed in the manual.
When to take the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit?
The SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit has been designed for the differential detection of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in patients with clinical and epidemiological risk factors. It can assist diagnosis of patients with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection. As the slight differences between the clinical presentations of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV are often insufficient to differentiate these infections, the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit is helpful for those who present with symptoms common to respiratory infections such as fever, chills, cough, sneezing, sore throat, runny/congested nose, fatigue, myalgia, and headaches.
What are the advantages of the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit?
Unlike molecular tests like PCR which detect viral genetic material, rapid antigen tests do not require laboratory equipment or highly trained personnel for the collection and procession of samples. Accordingly, some rapid antigen tests have even become available as at-home tests. Thanks to this relative simplicity, rapid antigen tests can deliver results in 15 to 30 minutes, unlike most molecular detection methods. As such, rapid antigen tests offer unique advantages from a public health standpoint, especially for remote and resource-limited areas, medical emergencies, and mass testing purposes.
In addition to the general advantages offered by rapid antigen testing, the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit enables the differentiation of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). As these viruses have largely overlapping seasonal patterns and clinical presentations, the clinical diagnosis of these infections may be challenging. With only a single sample, the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit checks for these viruses and delivers results in minutes. Moreover, the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit can also help address the rising concerns regarding the potential impact of overlapping or subsequent waves of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV on healthcare systems around the world by reducing the turnaround time, increasing access to testing and preventing the overcrowding of hospitals, especially in the winter season. By assisting in the initiation of timely isolation and treatment, the SARS-CoV-2 + Flu A/B + RSV Combo Rapid Test Kit can prevent further transmission and delays in treatment.
