Lateral Flow Tests

Lateral Flow Tests

Lateral Flow Tests, also called LFT, immunochemical test strips, immunochromatigraphic tests, dipstick tests, to detail a few names, are immunoassays that employ specific reagents (usually antibodies) to bind to a certain molecule. This can be a protein, virus, bacteria, drug, etc. These tests are rapid, near-patient tests that usually can yield a result in around 10-15 minutes from a nasal fluid, saliva, blood, serum, plasma, feces or urine sample.

How they work

1. You apply a sample (possibly dissolved in a liquid) to the dipstick or the sample well of a test housing.
2. The liquid flows across the strip by capillary action.
3. If the target item is present, it binds to specific antibodies coated on the strip, yeilding a positive signal at the test line.
4. The test line can yield a visual signal, discernable by eye, or can yield a fluorescent signal, discernable with an intrument
5. A second line (control line) will appear if the test procedure was followed correctly.