There are many variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some are considered or have been declared to be of particular importance because they may increase transmissibility,[1] increase virulence or reduce the

SARS-CoV-2 variants are grouped according to their lineages and component mutations. [14] Many organizations, including governments and news outlets, refer colloquially to relevant variants in the country where they were first discovered. [60][61][62] After months of discussions, on 31 May 2021, the

The Mantoux test or Mendel-Mantoux test (also known as the Mantoux screening test, tuberculin susceptibility test, Pirquet test, or PPD test of purified protein derivatives) is a screening tool for tuberculosis (TB) and diagnosis of tuberculosis. It is one of the main tuberculin skin tests used in t

The results of this test must be interpreted carefully. Individual medical risk factors determine which increment of induration (5 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm) is considered positive. [12] Positive results indicate tuberculosis exposure.• 5 mm or more is positiveo HIV positiveo People who have recently been

The lateral flow test (LFT),[1] is an assay also known as a lateral flow device (LFD), lateral flow immunochromatographic assay, or rapid test. It is a simple device designed to detect the presence of target substances in liquid samples without the need for specialized and expensive equipment. LFTs

Lateral flow analysis has a wide range of applications and can test a variety of samples such as urine, blood, saliva, sweat, serum, and other fluids. They are currently used by clinical laboratories, hospitals and physicians to perform rapid and accurate tests for specific target molecules and gene

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), sometimes called Rapid Antigen Test (RADT), Rapid Antigen Test (ART), or simply Rapid Test, is a rapid diagnostic test suitable for point-of-care testing that directly detects the presence or Antigen is absent. Such tests are a type of lateral flow test that detects antigen

Point-of-care testing (POCT), also known as near-patient testing or bedside testing, is defined as medical diagnostic testing performed at or near the point of care, that is, at the time and place of patient care. [1][2] This is in contrast to the historical pattern in which testing was entirely or