ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the challenges in producing antibodies against indicators of infectious diseases, outlines current assay technologies for their detection, and highlights their strengths and limitations. Antibodies are ideal biorecognition elements due to their exquisite specificities and strong affinities for their cognate antigens. Pathogen-induced diseases in man are capable of rapid, prolonged or latent infection and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Approaches to diagnose infections include laboratory-based examination of patient samples, serological testing, molecular-based testing and immunoassays. Immunoassay-based Point-of-care has real potential to meet the needs of infectious disease diagnosis by building on the successful application of immuno-chromatographic systems, such as the iconic home pregnancy test kit and glucose monitoring systems. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an RNA-based virus which targets cells of the immune system. Undiagnosed HIV infection progresses to acquired immune deficiency syndrome without treatment and is a fatal disease.
