Lab method
Lateral flow assay
Rapid immunochromatographic strip test
High-yield clue
A visible test line appearing beside a control line on a strip is the classic lateral flow (rapid antigen) readout.
Overview
A rapid immunochromatographic concept where sample wicks along a membrane strip and antigen or antibody is captured at a line of immobilized antibody, producing a visible colored band.
Classification
- Immunochromatographic assay
- Point-of-care format
- Qualitative result
- Antibody-antigen capture
Lab & identification clues
- Colored line indicates a positive result
- Control line confirms the test ran
- Fast turnaround, lower sensitivity vocabulary
- Home/point-of-care use framing
Associations
- Rapid antigen testing for respiratory viruses association
- Strep and malaria rapid test vocabulary
- Screening vs confirmation framing
Commonly confused with
- ELISA
- Immunofluorescence assay
Your notes
Original concept summary for coursework. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e and NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology; reviewed 2026-06. Describes vocabulary and interpretation concepts only; not a lab protocol and not for handling specimens or identifying patient isolates.