How to Read and Interpret Rapid Test Kit Results Correctly?

How to Read and Interpret Rapid Test Kit Results Correctly?

To read and interpret any rapid test kit, such as a COVID-19 self-test kit, HIV test kit, or malaria rapid test kit, you must first understand the structure and elements of a diagnostic kit. The positivity and negativity of an antigen depend on the number of lines that appear on the test card. Some kits can be used at home with minimal effort, such as pregnancy test kits, while others require more critical procedures, including vein puncture and centrifugation. Rapid test kits are not only used for medical diagnosis but also for drug testing and food safety. In this blog, we will thoroughly understand a kit and learn to interpret it accurately.   

What is a Rapid Test Kit? 

Rapid test kits, or RDTs, are easy-to-use, quick, and accurate test kits that indicate the presence or absence of an antigen in human blood. Rapid tests use various samples such as urine, blood, saliva, or nasal swabs. In some tests, whole blood is used as a sample, such as in the malaria pf/pv test kit, because the whole blood contains the malaria parasite. However, it is usually recommended to use serum/plasma for highly accurate results. Some of the most common diseases where rapid kits are used are flu, malaria, strep throat, and COVID-19. Rosewell Remedies is a trusted name for rapid test kits in the medical industry. We are the most reliable rapid test kit supplier in India. Our kits are sourced from renowned manufacturers and sold at competitive prices to diagnostic labs and hospitals. We make sure our tests are reliable, accurate, and affordable. Want to know more about our products? Give us a quick call. 

Advantages of a Rapid Test Kit

• Fast results usually under 20 minutes. 
• Easy-to-use kits 
• Lightweight 
• Portable
• Reliable results 

Key Features of a Rapid Test Kit 

Rapid test kits are based on the principle of lateral flow chromatography/immunoassay. It utilizes capillary action to draw the sample across a test strip, which contains many other components that help in the detection of the antigen. The strip includes a sample pad, a conjugate pad containing colloidal gold particles, and a test line. It also includes a control region at the end of the strip, which contains goat-mouse IgG antibodies. When a sample is applied to the test card, it interacts with labelled particles carrying specific antibodies. If the target antigen binds to the antibody on the test line of the card, then it will show a distinct line with a visible control line.  

How to Interpret a Diagnostic Test Kit?

The interpretation of each kit is different. However, there is a standard way of interpreting results from the lines that appear on the card. Firstly, identify and spot the types of lines on the card, such as the test line, control line, sample well, buffer well, etc. This step will give you a better understanding of the card. After that, start spotting the appearance of lines and the intensity of the colour.

#1 For Positive: A line appears on both the test line and the control line of the card. It clearly indicates the presence of an antigen.

#2 For Negative: Only a single line appears on the control region of the card. It indicates that the target antigen is not present in the sample.

#3 Invalid Result: The absence of both lines indicates two reasons. Either the procedure was conducted incorrectly, or the reagent in the test kit has dried.

Conclusion

Using a rapid test kit is very simple and serves the convenience of quick results. These test kits are accurate, reliable, and can be stored for a long time. Rosewell Remedies is a leading supplier of rapid test kits in India. We source our kits from the most trusted and renowned brands, ensuring the high quality and reliability of the kit. Partner with us and place your order now. Call us for more information.