Quantum Dot-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassay as Point-of-Care Testing for Infectious Diseases: A Narrative Review of Its Principle and Performance

Infectious diseases are the world's greatest killers, accounting for millions of deaths worldwide annually, especially in low-income countries. As the risk of emerging infectious diseases is increasing, it is critical to rapidly diagnose infections in the early stages and prevent further transmission. However, current detection strategies are time-consuming and have exhibited low sensitivity. Numerous studies revealed the advantages of point-of-care testing, such as those which are rapid, user-friendly and have high sensitivity and specificity, and can be performed at a patient's bedside. The Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA) is the most popular diagnostic assay that fulfills the POCT standards. However, conventional AuNPs-LFIAs are moderately sensitive, meaning that rapid detection remains a challenge. Here, we review quantum dot (QDs)-based LFIA for highly sensitive rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases. We briefly describe the principles of LFIA, strategies for applying QDs to enhance sensitivity, and the published performance of the QD-LFIA tested against several infectious diseases.

Automated summary

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. As the risk of emerging diseases increases, it is crucial to quickly diagnose infections and prevent further transmission. Current detection methods are time-consuming and less sensitive, while point-of-care testing offers the advantages of being rapid, user-friendly, and highly sensitive and specific. However, conventional detection methods still face the challenge of low sensitivity.