Diagnostic testing has been a very important activity in different sectors. It is crucial in healthcare, preventative medicine, environmental monitoring, and food safety. In a world where convenience and efficiency are paramount, lateral flow tests(LFTs) have been very popular. LFTs have existed long before COVID-19, and different industries describe them using different terms. You may have encountered terminologies like a dipstick, lateral flow device, and test strip.
One of the most common reasons for which people use the LFTs is to test for COVID-19. Today, you can buy lateral flow test COVID strips and test yourself without going to a lab. Other than testing for COVID-19, you can use LFTs for many other reasons. In this article, we explore the versatility of lateral flow tests in other healthcare applications.
Pregnancy Tests
Home pregnancy tests are among the most known uses of lateral flow tests. LFTs for pregnancy are as effective as LFTs for covid tests. The tests can use urine to detect whether a woman is pregnant. When a woman is pregnant, their urine has traces of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone. When testing, the user dips the absorbent side of the LFT into the urine sample, and then the urine flows along the strip. If the hormone is present, it binds to the antibodies on the strip to confirm pregnancy.
Infectious Disease Detection
These are diseases like malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis, and hepatitis. They are very efficient in testing patients, especially in settings that have a deficiency of laboratory resources. Clinics, point-of-care settings, and hospitals use the LFTs as they are quick and straightforward in detecting infectious diseases. They are widely used whenever there is an outbreak, and if individuals need to make high-stakes decisions, they can verify the tests in the laboratory.
Fertility Monitoring
Many women have used lateral tests to determine whether they are in their fertile period. There are tests specifically designed to track fertility windows in women. They detect the luteinizing hormone surges in the woman’s reproductive system. If the test turns positive, the woman can go ahead and try conceiving if they need to. Also, they are easy to use and dispose of, making most women comfortable doing the tests independently at home.
Cardiac Biomarkers
Just as lateral flow tests are instrumental in the fight against covid 19, they are reliable in diagnosis and monitoring heart attacks, among other cardiac conditions. With a lateral flow assay, it is possible to detect cardiac biomarkers such as creatine kinase- MB(CK-MB) in a patient’s blood sample. They can also indicate the presence of troponin and help healthcare professionals find the required conclusions on the patient’s well-being.
Cancer Biomarkers
During the early diagnosis and monitoring period for cancer patients, lateral flow tests. Medical professionals have been using the LFTs to detect the presence of particular cancer biomarkers. For instance, lateral flow tests have been instrumental in testing for the existence of alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) when medics suspect a patient has liver cancer. Likewise, the tests have been a tool for identifying the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with prostate cancer.
Drug Testing
Onsite drug testing, like most rehabilitation centers and workplaces, has greatly benefited from lateral flow tests. By collecting urine and saliva samples, lateral flow tests can tell if an individual has metabolites or drugs in their body. They are easy to use and provide rapid results, making them suitable for situations where there is a need for immediate screening.
Allergen Detection
Lateral flow tests are also instrumental in helping individuals avoid allergens. Certain foods are allergens to some people as they trigger allergic reactions in their bodies. The tests effectively detect the molecules of proteins unique to a particular allergen. The flow tests have components or antibodies that make it easy to identify if certain foods can cause allergies to specific individuals.
Veterinary Medicine
The process of detecting certain animal diseases, for example, bovine viral diarrhea virus and canine parvovirus. They help researchers, veterinarians, and animal owners quickly and accurately detect conditions and diseases so that they can promptly take the necessary action. These tests are convenient as they do not require lengthy sample preparation. They help in the prevention of disease spread to preserve animal populations.
Environmental Monitoring
Lateral flow tests also effectively ensure plants, animals, and humans live in a safe environment. They can check the soil and water quality to monitor if they have pathogens and contaminants. It ensures that the water is safe for agricultural practices and consumption.
In water, they use samples to detect whether it has waterborne contaminants like chemical pollutants, for example, mercury, lead, industrial chemicals, and pesticides. The tests can also detect whether the water has microbial pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and protozoa that could cause diseases like E. coli.
Blood Typing
One of the fastest and most convenient ways to determine an individual’s blood type is through lateral flow tests. Blood typing is important in medical contexts like organ transplants, blood transfusions, and prenatal care. Lateral flow tests help detect particular antigens in each of the four blood groups.
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