Microfluidic components and systems for rapid (<60 min), low-cost, convenient, field-deployable sequence-specific nucleic acid-based amplification tests (NAATs) are described. A microfluidic point-of-care (POC) diagnostics test to quantify HIV viral load from blood samples serves as a representative and instructive example to discuss the technical issues and capabilities of "lab on a chip" NAAT...

BACKGROUND Same-day anti-HIV testing algorithm is recommended by Thai National Guidelines. We compared performance characteristics of algorithms used in a mobile clinic and a facility-based clinic for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bangkok. METHODS Mobile clinic samples collected from 4 saunas and 2 spa venues were tested by Alere DetermineTM HIV 1/2, followed by DoubleCheck GoldTM Ultra ...

Background Microscopic examination of acid-fast-stained sputum smears is the current standard of care in the United States to determine airborne infection isolation (AII) of inpatients with presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). However, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) with the Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Xpert) may be more efficient and less costly. Methods This prospective observation...

The Gen-Probe APTIMA Combo 2 (AC2) is a Food and Drug Administration-cleared nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae from urine and urogenital swab specimens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended confirmation of positive NAAT results in low-prevalence populations. APTIMA CT (ACT) and APTIMA GC (AGC) a...

An 18 year old man was seen at a Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) clinic for counselling and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection which had been diagnosed during a screening survey of high school students. For two months he had reported conjunctival hyperaemia, increased tearing, itching, and mucopurulent secretions, predominantly on the left eye. His ophthalmologist had m...

Background The current testing approach to diagnose Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection relies on nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). These are highly sensitive, but do not distinguish between active and residual bacterial which may remain after resolution of infection, or via cross-contamination. Better methods assess the viability CT detected in clinical samples would be useful determi...

Abstract Immunoassays designed to detect SARS-CoV-2 protein antigens are now commercially available. The most widely used tests rapid lateral flow assays that generate results in ~15 minutes for diagnosis at the point-of-care. Higher throughput, laboratory-based antigen (Ag) have also been developed. overall accuracy of Ag tests, however, is not well defined. Infectious Diseases Society America...

BACKGROUND Use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) has been recommended on respiratory specimens submitted for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) testing. It also helps distinguish between TB and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species in a setting where NTM rates are relatively high. The purposes of this study are to describe the trend and ch...