Gold nanoparticles enhance rapid disease diagnostics in Southeast Asia

Gold nanoparticles play a critical role in rapid diagnostic testing across Southeast Asia, particularly in the detection of infectious diseases. These particles serve as highly effective labels in immunochromatographic tests, which are used to identify respiratory infections like influenza and COVID-19, as well as mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.

In these diagnostic processes, immunochromatography relies on the movement of a sample through a test membrane via capillary action. The technology works by facilitating interactions between antigens or antibodies. When a viral antigen is present, it reacts with colloidal-gold-labelled antibodies to form complexes. These complexes then bind to capture antibodies in the detection area, where the gold nanoparticles produce a visible colored band to signal a result.