Antigen detection tests identify foreign substances or organisms causing disease in a patient by detecting antigens in body fluids. Rapid antigen detection test kits have made diagnosis more accessible, and effective drugs can be administered once a diagnosis is confirmed. Detection kits are available for various types of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. The kits work by using antibodies that react with the specific antigen present in the patient sample.
Antigen detection is a test usually performed to detect or identify which organisms are causing disease in a patient. Antigens are foreign substances or organisms, such as parasites, bacteria, fungi or viruses, that enter the human body and stimulate the immune system to produce specific antibodies. Antibodies are cells that protect the body during infections and are often able to defend the body against infections of the same antigen in the future.
Body fluids, such as urine, blood, and saliva, can harbor antigens and are usually used as samples for antigen detection tests. Stool samples and throat swabs may also be used, depending on the patient’s symptoms. These symptoms often help doctors consider what type of antigen or antigens might be causing an infection. Once a preliminary diagnosis has been made, a doctor may order an antigen detection test for confirmation.
Finding and identifying what is causing a disease is important in the treatment of many diseases. When the result of an antigen detection test becomes positive for a specific bacterium or virus, effective drugs can be administered. This often avoids the use of expensive broad-spectrum drugs targeting many antigens.
Most antigen detection tests are performed in the laboratory with trained laboratory personnel handling the procedures. With the advent of rapid antigen detection test kits, however, identifying the cause of disease has become more accessible even in remote areas where laboratory personnel are not always available. This also allows for faster diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.
There are many kits available to detect different types of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. There are detection kits for bacterial antigens such as streptococcal antigen, Lyme antigen and chlamydia antigen. Many infections caused by viruses, including rabies, dengue fever, and influenza, can also be detected with this method. Detection tests are also available for parasitic infections such as amoebae, malaria and toxoplasmosis. There are fungal antigen test kits for infections such as aspergillosis and candidiasis.
Antigen detection kits work by using substances, such as antibodies, that react readily with the specific antigen present in the patient sample. When that antigen is present in blood or urine, the test kit usually shows a positive reaction, with color or line development depending on the type of detection kit used. With the advancement in technology and science, much more bacteria and viruses can be detected with the use of rapid detection test kits.
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