Rapid Diagnosis for Conjunctivitis

The RPS Adeno Detector, made by Rapid Pathogen Screening (South Williamsport, PA, USA), is an absorbent strip on which tear fluid is collected, which is then dipped in a buffering solution. If present, the adenoviral antigen is captured between two antigen-specific antibodies. Results are available within 10 minutes and appear as one (negative) or two (positive) red lines in the read-out area. The test is best used within seven days of developing a red eye consistent with infectious conjunctivitis.

The RPS Adeno Detector has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The rapid availability of test results for differential diagnosis in point-of-care settings is expected to decrease empiric use of unnecessary antibiotics, which have been linked to risks for resistance, adverse effects, allergies, and corneal toxicity.

Unlike bacterial conjunctivitis that becomes relatively non-contagious after 48 hours of appropriate antibiotic therapy, adenoviral conjunctivitis does not improve and continues to shed a significant viral load until the eye is no longer red and tearing. Identification of conjunctivitis as of viral origin requires a longer isolation period to reduce the risk for transmission.




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Rapid Pathogen Screening