Advanced Techniques in Diagnostic Microbiology

3. Rapid Antigen Tests 39
retains advantages for economical on-site testing. IF takes 1–2 h to complete, and
it can be done repeatedly during laboratory hours (Landry and Ferguson, 2000a).
The lack of sensitivity of direct antigen detection compared with methods that
amplify the target, such as culture and PCR, may be addressed by the recently
reported method of real-time immuno-PCR, which amplifies signal, can detect
ultralow levels of proteins, and is cheap and simple to perform (Barletta et al.,
2004).
Finally, virology laboratories using antigen testing to provide results within
15 min to 2 h can also save resources by canceling cultures on most samples that
have a positive rapid test result.
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