Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have transformed infectious disease detection by providing timely results at the point of care. They are widely used for diagnosing diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, dengue fever, influenza, tuberculosis, HIV, and hepatitis. Accurate and rapid diagnosis enables early treatment initiation, reduces disease transmission, and improves healthcare outcomes.

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of rapid infectious disease tests by assessing sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and overall clinical utility compared with standard laboratory methods.

Methods

A retrospective multicenter observational study was conducted involving 2,500 patients presenting with suspected infectious diseases between January 2022 and December 2024. Rapid diagnostic test results were compared with reference laboratory methods including RT-PCR, culture, ELISA, and molecular assays. Statistical analyses included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Rapid diagnostic tests demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 91.2% and specificity of 95.4%. COVID-19 antigen tests showed sensitivity of 88.6% and specificity of 97.2%, while malaria RDTs achieved sensitivity of 94.8% and specificity of 96.1%. Dengue NS1 rapid tests demonstrated sensitivity of 89.3% and specificity of 94.5%. Diagnostic performance varied depending on disease prevalence and timing of testing.

Conclusion

Rapid diagnostic tests exhibit high diagnostic accuracy and provide valuable support for infectious disease management, particularly in resource-limited settings. Their integration into routine healthcare services can significantly improve disease surveillance, outbreak response, and patient outcomes.