There are several approaches that can be used to identify an infection, these focus on detecting either viral proteins (Early detection), viral nucleotide sequences (Early detection) or antibodies (Later detection) raised against specific viral components.

1. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) is used for detecting specific nucleotide sequences of the virus. These nucleotide sequences encode proteins that are crucial for the virus to hijack cellular mechanisms to drive the production of new viral particles. These nucleotide sequences can be isolated and amplified using PCR, and further quantified using fluorescent probes using qPCR systems.


2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) provide a readout of antigen-antibody interactions.
   In the case of IgM/IgG antibody tests, patient antibodies are “sandwiched” between the deposited viral protein of interest and reporter antibodies, so that any active patient antibodies are detected.
   Antigen tests work similarly, but in that case the Antigen-specific capture antibody is deposited and the viral particles get captured between this and the labelled antigen-specific antibody. The labeling method can produce a visible signal (immunogold) or a fluorescent signal, that is revealed under UV-light. Rapid test kits, or Lateral Flow Assays (LFA) are based on the same principles, but are packaged into an easy to use, point-of-care format.
   


3. Neutralization tests can indicate whether the patient has active, functional antibodies to the pathogen in question by measuring how much the patient antibodies can inhibit viral growth in the lab.

The incubation period for the COVID-19 infection can vary from 2 to 14 days. This variation makes it difficult to pinpoint a timeframe when a person was infected and could vary by the same amount as the incubation period.

The COVID-19 Viral Antigen Detection kits detect the Nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from naso- or oropharyngeal swabs. It is estimated that the detectable viral load is present after 3-4 days of infection, which typically coincides with the first few days of the onset of symptoms. Rapid antigen test kits can reliably identify patients with high viral load during the first 7 days after the onset of symptoms.

A negative result does not rule out infection. You might have tested too early, collected an insufficient sample, or have another illness. Consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.

Both are types of flu viruses that infect humans. Influenza A tends to cause more widespread outbreaks, while Influenza B is generally less severe but can still cause significant illness.

COVID-19 detection: Sensitivity 95%, Specificity >99%
Flu A detection: Sensitivity 93.4%, Specificity >98%
Flu B detection: Sensitivity 92.7%, Specificity 99%

Please get in touch with us through the Contact form indicating the type and volume of the testing kits needed.

Test can only be performed by person over 15 years age. Any persons or children under 15 years will require adult supervision or assistance. Not to be performed on children under 2 years of age.

Positive antigen kit result: If you have a positive result it is very likely that you have the proteins from the virus that was found in your sample. The antigens are generally detectable in the specimens from the upper respiratory tract, nevertheless, clinical correlation with patient history and the necessary diagnostic information is required to determine the infection status. Positive results also do not rule out bacterial infection or cross-infections with other bacteria or viruses.

Negative antigen kit result: A negative result indicates that the antigens from SARS-CoV-2 was not present in the specimen. It also means that the viral load was below the limit of detection. The amount of antigen in a sample is known to decrease with the increase in the duration of the illness. However, a negative test should not be used as the only basis of treatment or patient management as samples collected beyond 7 days post symptom should be treated as presumptive and confirmed with a molecular assay.

The Camtech COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test kit has been evaluated with recombinant target antigen protein that correspond to the mutations identified in the broadly circulating variants, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron. The results determined that the sensitivity of Antigen kit remains high. This is expected as the detecting antibodies used in the Antigen kits are targeting a more conserved protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has not mutated significantly in the variants evolved after the original Wuhan strain.
The sensitivity to the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) has been confirmed using heat inactivated virus samples as well. Additionally, based on the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus strains during the clinical tests we expect that the performance towards the Delta and Omicron strains is idenical compared to the earlier variants.

The test may be used as needed, regardless of vaccination status.