title: Rapid assay kits for common microbiologic agents.
abstract: Commercial rapid assay kits are available to assist in making diagnoses such as gonorrhea, rubella, and chlamydial and Group A streptococcal infections. Most assays contain either antigens to detect antibodies or antibodies to detect the antigens of the specific agents. Methods include latex agglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, solid-phase enzyme immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence. Rapid assay kits are best used with an understanding of their principles, their sensitivity-specificity ranges, their limitations and assets, and their cost and shelf life.
authors.affiliation: Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Saglio
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Henley
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012409:Rubella / Q000276:immunology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic