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Rapid Antigen Tests

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Advanced Techniques in Diagnostic Microbiology

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Abstract

Immunoassays for the detection of the antigens of microorganisms remain important tools for the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases. Great strides have been made since the introduction of the early precipitation and agglutination assays in increasing the sensitivity, specificity, standardization, and automation of antigen tests [1–4]. Antigen tests have long been used to detect infectious agents that are difficult, slow, or hazardous to culture. However, antigen detection methods are especially useful for rapid diagnosis, whether in the clinic, emergency department, doctor’s office, or central laboratory. Simple one-step assays can provide results in 15 min with dramatic benefits to physician decision-making.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Connecticut, West Haven, CT, USA

    Sheldon Campbell

  2. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8035, USA

    Sheldon Campbell & Marie L. Landry M.D.

Authors
  1. Sheldon Campbell
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  2. Marie L. Landry M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marie L. Landry M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, 10065, New York, USA

    Yi-Wei Tang

  2. Vanderbilt Clinic, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 22nd Avenue 1301, Nashville, 37232-5310, Tennessee, USA

    Charles W. Stratton

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Campbell, S., Landry, M.L. (2013). Rapid Antigen Tests. In: Tang, YW., Stratton, C. (eds) Advanced Techniques in Diagnostic Microbiology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3970-7_3

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