Lateral flow assays (LFA) for detection of pathogenic bacteria: A small point-of-care platform for diagnosis of human infectious diseases

Up-to-date diagnostics is globally improved by point-of-care testing (POCT) analysis and bedside research works. Development in POCT analysis has been provided mostly by forward-looking engineering technology for biosensing and sensing assessments. Lately, lateral flow assays (LFAs) have attracted a lot of interest as a result of their noteworthy benefits including cost-effectiveness, better portability, being operator friendly and rapid detection. This technique has been employed broadly for monitoring diverse biomarkers linked to ultrasensitive detection of pathogenic bacteria, ecological monitoring, consumer protection, and infectious diseases. LFA analyses established on qualitative and optical outcomes have boosted the objectivity and data efficiency of the assessments. Therefore, developing novel methods with the capability of providing reliable and quantitative information regarding a target analyte in a model and preserving the qualities of LFAs is of great necessity. In this review, the main principles of LFAs, challenges, and prospects for more development in this field in sensing pathogenic bacteria have been summarized. Subsequently, visually-read LFAs improvement to further progressive platforms have been explored by considering the prospects of this very flexible method for ultrasensitive detection of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, novel labeling methodologies, electrochemical and optical transducers are described. Also, recent developments in these detection methods elements in combination with other considered approaches have been highlighted.