A streamlined POCT solution for rapid infectious disease detection

Abstract

Point-of-care testing (POCT) plays a crucial role in infectious disease screening due to its rapid detection and portability. However, current POCT systems face challenges such as lengthy sample preparation time, complex nucleic acid extraction, and limited real-time data transmission, extending patient waiting time. This study presents iPonatic, an integrated POCT system with a quantitative dropper for efficient sample addition, a low-cost cartridge utilizing one-step rapid nucleic acid release technology, and real-time data synchronization via a cloud platform. Patients can receive test reports within 30 min. The system was validated for both respiratory and sexually transmitted pathogens, showing consistent values with standard quantitative PCR. Clinical validation on 1159 samples demonstrated an AUC above 0.98 for all targets, with sensitivity exceeding 95% and specificity reaching 100%. iPonatic is ideal for primary healthcare, epidemic response, and resource-limited settings. It offers an efficient solution to enhance diagnostics and reduce patient waiting time, supporting timely responses to public health needs.