Point-of-care tests (POCT) for whole-blood glucose monitoring primarily utilize which detection method?

The primary detection method utilized in point-of-care tests (POCT) for whole-blood glucose monitoring is amperometric detection. This method is favored because it allows for the real-time measurement of glucose levels in blood samples using electrochemical sensors.

In amperometric detection, an electrical current is produced as a result of the oxidation of glucose by the enzyme glucose oxidase. This reaction generates hydrogen peroxide, which can then be detected amperometrically. The amount of current generated is proportional to the concentration of glucose in the sample, enabling rapid and accurate glycemic assessment.

While glucose oxidase is indeed an important enzyme involved in many glucose measurement systems, it is the amperometric detection that is the key mechanism in POCT, as it provides immediate results based on the electrochemical signal, making it particularly suitable for the fast-paced environment of point-of-care testing. Other methods, such as immunochromatography, are not typically employed for glucose monitoring, as they are more often used for the detection of specific proteins or pathogens. Peroxidase reactions, while related, are secondary in the context of how glucose levels are measured in these POCT devices.