New methods for identifying infectious diseases

Abstract

This review discusses a number of technologies that may alter the way in which clinical microbiology is used to investigate infectious disease. Diagnostic services in the UK are currently undergoing a process of rationalization, which involves a shift towards laboratory amalgamation, adoption of 24/7 working patterns and greater automation in order to reduce costs. This review explores technologies that are already or are expected to be important in this on-going transition because they simplify or accelerate the complex workflows that are required for pathogen identification.

Targeted next-generation sequencing for the detection of ciprofloxacin resistance markers using molecular inversion probes

“…Ideal diagnostics should be rapid, sensitive, inexpensive, and provide information such as strain-type, virulence prediction, and AR profile. Compared to current molecular diagnostics such as real-time PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS) will potentially better fulfill these requirements while providing information beyond the identity of the etiologic agent 9 including: species level identification, resistance profiling, genomic epidemiology, and microbial forensics 9 10 11 .…”

“…Currently unbiased metagenomic studies are expensive and bioinformatically challenging with poor clinical sensitivity 9 10 12 . Targeted sequence amplification strategies potentially mitigate these challenges 13 14 .…”

Aspects of microbiological diagnosis: public opinion research and solutions within public professional organization

“…2). Данное распределение хорошо отражает общероссийские и общемировые тенденции по закономерному включению молекулярно-генетических методов в набор инструментов бактериологической (микробиологической) лаборатории [5,6]. Таким образом, по нашему мнению, следует учитывать технологическое развитие отрасли в этом направлении и уделять этим методам особое внимание как в рамках модернизации нормативной базы (в том числе включение некоторых современных методов в стандартный арсенал работы микробиологов), так и содействуя расширению образовательной программы для микробиологов по изучению данных методик.…”

Paediatric infectious diseases: The last 50 years

“…Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation: time of flight mass spectrometry is a newer technology being increasingly used for the rapid identification of bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria and parasites. 19 Bacterial whole-genome sequencing is on the horizon as a rapid diagnostic microbiology tool.…”

“…Multiplex PCR platforms are designed to probe respiratory specimens, stool samples and even blood for an array of pathogens; these are increasingly being used for point‐of‐care testing. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation: time of flight mass spectrometry is a newer technology being increasingly used for the rapid identification of bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria and parasites . Bacterial whole‐genome sequencing is on the horizon as a rapid diagnostic microbiology tool.…”