Question

describe 2 main pros and 2 cons of SIBA as a diagnostic test taking in considration : design requirements, time to results, per reaction cost, ease of use, equipment

requirements, sensitivity, specificity, types of, amounts of, and storage of reagents)

Answer 1

- Pro 1: This test has a very high specificity, because it uses nucleic acid amplification, it becomes very specific when targeting sequences, thus leading to a reliable test result for diagnosis.

- Pro 2: The speed for obtaining results is very high, time for result go around 15 min or less, due to the simplicity of reagent preparation and real time reaction and detection.

- Con 1: SIBA technology requires some more efforts when storing reagents. Diagnoses made by the uses of other techniques like antigen tests, e.g., require simple storage management, since the reagent molecules are more resistant, they require simple refrigeration. SIBA technology uses nucleic acid amplification, this requires very fragile reagents, like polymerases for example, so SIBA needs techniques like -70 refrigerator.

- Con 2: SIBA gives high quality results, but demands higher prices to afford it, the use of more fragile and costly reagents and trained people for the proper use and interpretation, all of this increases the price per test.