Faster and more precise: viral rapid tests more effective than ever

Full sample fridges, overworked staff and increasing test requirements - conventional diagnostics are often stretched to their limits. This is precisely why modern rapid test systems are a solution: they can detect viral infections within minutes, directly at the point of treatment and with almost PCR testing accuracy.

Modern rapid tests include various technologies: Antigen tests offer fast results, while PCR rapid tests achieve higher accuracy at comparable speed. Rapid PCR tests are characterized by the fact that they use PCR technology in a compact, automated device, which enables faster on-site analysis. Some approaches even approach the precision of classical PCR tests. These advances mean an enormous relief for laboratories and hospitals.

But how exactly do rapid viral tests improve diagnostics? Here are three important factors that take diagnostics to the next level.

With modern technologies, even the smallest amounts of virus can be detected. The company Sherlock Biosciences (owned by OraSure Technologies), for example, has developed a CRISPR-based rapid test system that it claims is 10 to 1,000 times more sensitive than conventional antigen tests. By combining genetic amplification and CRISPR detection, it delivers highly accurate results within 30 minutes with near PCR accuracy.

Faster diagnoses mean more efficient patient care and better control of infection outbreaks. While traditional laboratory tests can take days, modern rapid tests can deliver results in less than an hour - a key advantage for clinics, laboratories and mobile testing centers.

One example is the Co-Dx PCR Home platform, which enables diagnostics directly on-site or at home with rapid PCR tests. The compact, intuitive device from Co-Diagnostics, Inc. delivers test results within 30 minutes and uses patented Co-Primers technology to accurately detect SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens.

Infections often cannot be traced back to a single pathogen - respiratory diseases, for example, can be caused by viruses or bacteria, which can sometimes also be resistant to common drugs. Modern diagnostic systems therefore rely on multiplex PCR, which detects several pathogens simultaneously. This saves time, reduces misdiagnosis and enables more targeted treatment.

One example is the multiplex PCR technology from PaxGenBio Co., Ltd. which recognizes up to 15 target sequences from a single sample. The system identifies twelve of the most common respiratory pathogens and enables the rapid addition of further test parameters through digital reflex ordering - without the need for re-sampling.

Modern rapid test technologies therefore offer the possibility of detecting infections directly at the point of care with a high degree of accuracy. This not only relieves the burden on the healthcare system but also opens up new market potential for diagnostics providers - from emergency rooms to mobile test centers. At the same time, innovative multiplex technologies enable broader pathogen detection with just one sample. The modern rapid tests are not only faster - they are also more flexible and economical. However, they can be less reliable than laboratory-based PCR tests at low viral loads. For diagnostics providers, this means that those who expand their range to include rapid tests could secure competitive advantages in an increasingly decentralized diagnostics world.