Abstract: This invention provides a method for analyzing an analyte in a sample in a rapid and simple manner with high accuracy with the use of a sample of a mucosal fluid adhered to the mucosal surface of the nasal cavity collected using a nasal spray device in a less invasive and simple manner. The method comprises detecting an infectious disease by applying a washing liquid to the nasal cavity of a subject suspected of an infectious disease to wash the mucosal surface of the nasal cavity and using, as a sample, the collected wash liquid containing the mucosal fluid adhered to the mucosal surface of the nasal cavity.

Abstract: A diagnostic testing device is a testing-device for immunochromatography wherein a liquid sample contains an analyte developed in a detection area via a labeling-substance-containing area of a test strip, and a negative or positive interpretation is made from the coloration exhibited by the detection area. The device includes a measuring part for obtaining data on a coloration index associated with coloration state for at least part of the detection area, and a processing part that interprets based on the coloration index data. The processing part delivers a negative interpretation if the coloration state of the analyte detection area is in a negative state in at least one image out of a maximum of N (wherein N is greater than 1) obtained images, and delivers a positive assessment if the coloration state of the analyte detection area is in a positive state in all N images.

Abstract: A technology to determine an appropriate detection region in automatic determination of an immunochromatographic assay and an immunochromatographic assay interpretation device wherein a liquid sample including a detectable substance spreads into a region for detection via a test strip, and a negative or positive determination is made from the coloration state of the detection region, wherein a measuring unit acquires coloration index data for a range including at least a portion of a sample developing detection region for indicating that a sample has reached the detection region downstream from the detection region in the test strip, and a processing unit specifies the detection region from the coloration index data, the detection region in a predetermined inter-region distance upstream from the detection region of the coloration index data, and interprets negative or positive based on the coloration state of the detection region.