Rapid Tests

Point Of Care Services Ltd is pleased to announce the introduction of several new rapid tests for key diseases:

• Malaria P.f. infections
• Strep A infections
• H. pylori infections
• Prostate Cancer

Further POC Rapid Tests for Syphilis and Chlamydia will be available shortly.

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Malaria

Malaria is caused by a protozoan which invades human red blood cells. Malaria is one the world's most prevalent diseases. According to the WHO, the worldwide prevalence of the disease is estimated to be 300-500 million cases and over 1 million deaths each year.

Microscopic analysis of appropriately stained thick and thin blood smears has been the standard diagnostic technique for identifying malaria infections for more than a century. The technique is capable of accurate and reliable diagnosis when performed by skilled microscopists using defined protocols. The skill of the microscopist and use of proven and defined procedures, frequently present the greatest obstacles to fully achieving the potential accuracy of microscopic diagnosis. Although there is a logistical burden associated with performing a time-intensive, labor-intensive, and equipment-intensive procedure such as diagnostic microscopy, it is the training required to establish and sustain competent performance of microscopy that poses the greatest difficulty in employing this diagnostic technology.

The Malaria P.f. Rapid Test Device (Whole Blood) is a rapid test to qualitatively detect the presence of the P.f. antigen. The test utilises colloid gold conjugate to selectively detect P.f. antigen in whole blood.

So people who have been to a malarious region and return with symptoms or concerns, can now get on the spot test results for under £5 per test .

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Strep A

Streptococcus pyogenes is non-motile gram-positive cocci, which contains the Lancefield group A antigen that can cause serious infections such as pharyngitis, respiratory infection, impetigo, endocarditis, meningitis, puerperal sepsis, and arthritis. Left untreated, these infections can lead to serious complications, including rheumatic fever and peritonsillar abscess.

Traditional identification procedures for Group A Streptococci infection involve the isolation and identification of viable organisms using techniques that require 24 to 48 hours or longer.

The Strep A Rapid Test Strip is a rapid test to qualitatively detect the presence of Strep A antigen in throat swab specimens, providing results within 5 minutes. The test utilizes antibodies specific for whole cell Lancefield Group A Streptococcus to selectively detect Strep A antigen in a throat swab specimen.

Instead of prescribing antibiotics to all people presenting with throat infections, the use of this Rapid test (@ only £2 per test) selects only those who are positive for treatment, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.

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H. pylori

H. pylori is a small, spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the surface of the stomach and duodenum. It is implicated in the aetiology of a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, including duodenal and gastric ulcer, non-ulcer dyspepsia and active and chronic gastritis.

Both invasive and non-invasive methods are used to diagnose H. pylori infection in patients with symptoms of gastrointestinal disease. Specimen-dependent and costly invasive diagnostic methods include gastric or duodenal biopsy followed by urease testing (presumptive), culture, and/or histologic staining. Non-invasive techniques include the urea breath test, which requires expensive laboratory equipment and moderate radiation exposure, and serological methods. Individuals infected with H. pylori develop serum antibodies which correlate strongly with histologically confirmed H. pylori infection.

The H. pylori Rapid Test Device (Whole Blood / Serum / Plasma) is a simple test that utilises a combination of H. pylori antigen coated particles and anti-human IgG to qualitatively and selectively detect H. pylori antibodies in whole blood, serum, or plasma in just minutes.

So people who have continued gastric symptoms can now have a simple blood test ( at under £2/test) to see if they need referral for triple therapy with combined antibiotics and anti-ulcer drugs to eradicate H pylori.

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PSA

The Prostate specific antigen (PSA) antigen test is the most valuable tool available for the diagnosis of early prostate cancer. PSA has been detected in various tissues of the male urogenital system but only prostate glandular and endothelial cells secrete it. Many studies have confirmed that the presence of PSA is the most useful and meaningful tumour marker known for prostate cancer and prostate infection of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is produced by prostate glandular and endothelial cells. It is a single chain glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 34 kDa. PSA exists in three major forms circulating in the serum. These forms are free PSA, PSA bound to α1 – Antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT) and PSA complexed with α2–macroglobulin (PSA-MG).

The PSA Prostate Specific Antigen Rapid Test Device (Whole Blood / Serum / Plasma) utilizes a combination of colloidal gold conjugate and anti-PSA antibodies to selectively detect total PSA in whole blood, serum or plasma. The test has a cut-off value at 4 ng/mL and a reference value at 10 ng/mL. (under £3 cost per test)

PSA level in serum of healthy men is between 0.1 ng/mL and 2.6 ng/mL.

PSA level of 4 to 10 ng/mL is considered to be in the "gray-zone" - this usually means further analysis of the prostate by by additional measurement of "free" PSA, followed up by digital rectal examination and/or biopsy

Above 10 ng/mL is highly indicative of cancer and needs immediate follow up with a urologist for digital rectal examination and biopsy.

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