Point-of-care testing in the diagnosis of infectious diseases
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Air Force Hangzhou Special Service Convalescent Center Convalescent Hospital Area 1
- 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, Second People's Hospital
- 3School of Laboratory Medicine, Bengbu Medical University
- 4Department of Clinical Laboratory, The 903rd Hospital of The People's Liberation Army
- 5Department of Health Economic, The 903rd Hospital of The People's Liberation Army
Abstract
Point-of-care testing (POCT) has emerged as an indispensable diagnostic strategy for addressing the increasing global burden of infectious diseases and the worsening threat of antimicrobial resistance. Owing to prominent advantages such as rapid detection of infectious agents, portability, and ease of accessibility, POCT can effectively address the inherent limitations of traditional laboratory diagnostic workflows. This review summarizes the core technical platforms that underlie current POCT technologies, including lateral flow assays, chemiluminescence immunoassays, isothermal amplification systems, CRISPR/Cas-based diagnostic systems, and microfluidic chip technologies. Furthermore, we describe the key clinical scenarios in which POCT can be applied, including respiratory tract, bloodstream, gastrointestinal, urinary tract, and sexually transmitted infections. We also comprehensively discuss the technical characteristics and clinical applicability of mainstream POCT modalities, including immunochromatography and molecular diagnostics. Despite limitations associated with detection sensitivity, quality control, cost efficiency, and clinical integration, POCT technology continues to undergo consistent improvements. Advances in nanomaterials, microfluidic engineering, and artificial intelligence and continuous improvements in industry standardization have led to increased performance, systematic integration, and intelligent detection in POCT. Given these technological advancements and optimizations, POCT shows promising applicability and is therefore expected to become a core diagnostic tool for both precision clinical management and epidemic prevention and control in public health.
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BibTeX
@article{fang2026pointofcare,
title = {{Point-of-care testing in the diagnosis of infectious diseases}},
author = {Quan Fang and Yuyan Lin and Guiqi Hu and Jiangjie Hu and Jun Cheng and Yuzhu Dai and Li Yan and Xiaohong Wu},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1949318},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1949318/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Point-of-care testing in the diagnosis of infectious diseases
AU - Quan Fang
AU - Yuyan Lin
AU - Guiqi Hu
AU - Jiangjie Hu
AU - Jun Cheng
AU - Yuzhu Dai
AU - Li Yan
AU - Xiaohong Wu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1949318
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1949318/full
AB - Point-of-care testing (POCT) has emerged as an indispensable diagnostic strategy for addressing the increasing global burden of infectious diseases and the worsening threat of antimicrobial resistance. Owing to prominent advantages such as rapid detection of infectious agents, portability, and ease of accessibility, POCT can effectively address the inherent limitations of traditional laboratory diagnostic workflows. This review summarizes the core technical platforms that underlie current POCT technologies, including lateral flow assays, chemiluminescence immunoassays, isothermal amplification systems, CRISPR/Cas-based diagnostic systems, and microfluidic chip technologies. Furthermore, we describe the key clinical scenarios in which POCT can be applied, including respiratory tract, bloodstream, gastrointestinal, urinary tract, and sexually transmitted infections. We also comprehensively discuss the technical characteristics and clinical applicability of mainstream POCT modalities, including immunochromatography and molecular diagnostics. Despite limitations associated with detection sensitivity, quality control, cost efficiency, and clinical integration, POCT technology continues to undergo consistent improvements. Advances in nanomaterials, microfluidic engineering, and artificial intelligence and continuous improvements in industry standardization have led to increased performance, systematic integration, and intelligent detection in POCT. Given these technological advancements and optimizations, POCT shows promising applicability and is therefore expected to become a core diagnostic tool for both precision clinical management and epidemic prevention and control in public health.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -