Ferritin analysis via lateral flow immunoassay

A flow-through assay device for detecting ferritin levels in a sample, the device comprising:

• a sample pad for receiving a sample;
• at least one conjugate pad in operable contact with the sample pad, wherein the at least one conjugate pad is loaded with a first antibody specific against ferritin and tagged with detectable label;
• an assay platform in operable contact with the at least one conjugate pad, the assay platform comprising a substrate having a test region onto which the first test antibody to the ferritin is immobilized and optionally a control region onto which a control antibody directed to the first antibody is immobilized;
• optionally, an absorbent pad in operable contact with the assay platform.

A method for measuring the level of ferritin in a sample, said method comprising:

• i) providing a flow-through assay device that comprises a sample pad for receiving a sample, at least one conjugate pad in operable contact with the sample pad, the at least one conjugate pad loaded with a first antibody specific against the ferritin and tagged with detectable label, an assay platform in operable contact with the at least one conjugate pad, the assay platform comprising a substrate having a test region on to which the first test antibody to the ferritin is immobilized and optionally a control region onto which a control antibody directed to the first antibody is immobilized;
• and optionally, an absorbent pad in operable contact with the assay platform;
• (ii) contacting the conjugate pad with the sample and allowing the particles to flow to the test region,
• iii) using a mobile test reader to scan the results and detect and quantify the level of ferritin;
• and sending the results to a database.

A method for measuring the level of ferritin in a sample comprising;

• i) providing a lateral flow immunoassay strip or device according to the invention;
• ii) applying a sample to the sample pad, preferably a saliva sample;
• iii) determining the intensity of labelled antibody bound to the test region/line;
• iv) determining from the intensity of the label in iii) the level of ferritin in the sample.