The Accustrip® ValuPak™ CLIA Waived Strep A Test involves the chemical extraction of group A streptococcal antigen followed by solid-phase immunoassay technology for the detection of extracted antigen.
In the test procedure, a throat swab specimen is collected, placed into a mixture of Reagent A and B, and extracted for 1–2 minutes. The Accustrip® ValuPak™ Strep A test strip is then inserted into the tube containing the extract and the extract is allowed to migrate up the test strip. If group A streptococci are present in the specimen, they will react with the conjugate dye and then react with the antibody in the Test line, to generate a colored Test line. The rest of the sample and dye continues to migrate to the control area, where antibody to the strep A antibody is immobilized. In this area, the conjugate of anti-Strep A antibody and red dye react with anti-rabbit IgG antibody, to generate a red line. The presence of two colored lines, one Test line and one Control line, indicates a positive result, while the absence of a Test line in the reading area indicates a negative result. In the absence of antigen in the sample, only the control line will develop.