7. The economic value of gold nanoparticles in healthcare

7.1 Diagnostic tests

Rapid, portable, low-cost diagnostic methods that can be used directly at the patient's bedside have seen considerable growth in recent decades. Among these, lateral flow assays (LFAs), or immunochromatographic strip tests, often referred to as antigen tests, have become widely available, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

• This type of test, like pharmacy pregnancy tests, is now available to the general public and can detect various antigens in biofluids such as urine, blood, saliva, or sweat. Compared to traditional laboratory methods, they stand out for their speed (results in less than 30 minutes), low cost, ease of use without specialized equipment, and easy reading, even for non-experts. The first LFA...