The rapid test for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 provides qualitative detection of IgG and/or IgM in human serum, whole blood or plasma in approximately 10-15 minutes.

The rapid tests are based on the principle of lateral flow immunochromatography and are available in cassette form. The test is based on the separation of the components of a mixture through a medium using capillary force and the specific and rapid binding of an antibody to its antigen.

IgM and IgG are immunoglobulins produced by the immune system to provide protection against SARS-CoV-2. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG can therefore be detected in samples from affected patients.

There are several types of tests, but the most common one involves attaching anti-human IgG and IgM antibodies to the surface of the cassette and coupling an antigen of the virus with colloidal gold particles. If the patient sample contains anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies then these antibodies will bind to the antigen present in the conjugation zone of the cassette and the complex formed will migrate to the membrane-bound anti-human IgG and/or IgM. A colored band will then appear.