An account of the current status of point-of-care lateral flow tests for kidney biomarker detection

Abstract

Globally, the primary causes of mortality and morbidity related to kidney ailments can be classified as Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Biomarker detection can have great potential to improve survival, lower mortality, and reduce the cost of treatment of kidney diseases. Considering the chronic nature of CKD, non-invasive identification and monitoring have proven to be useful. Biosensors and more specifically lateral flow test strips (LFTs) are regarded as the most desirable point-of-care instruments which have shown promise in elevating the healthcare industry to a new level. The major aspects of an ideal point-of-care (POC) lateral flow test include its cost effectiveness, high sensitivity and specificity, ease of use, quick result delivery, and quality control. This review provides a detailed account of recent developments, challenges, and opportunities in renal biomarker detection using LFTs including various approaches for sensitivity enhancement along with potential future advancements in POC and LFT kits.