Klinische Infektionskrankheiten: Open Access

Diagnostic Advances in Identifying Infectious Pathogens

Abstract

Ezzati Satter

Infectious diseases continue to pose a significant global health challenge. Timely and accurate diagnosis is critical for patient care, the prevention of disease transmission and the development of effective treatment and vaccination strategies. Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in diagnostic techniques, enabling healthcare professionals to identify infectious pathogens with greater precision and speed. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR have revolutionized molecular diagnostics. These techniques allow for the detection of specific DNA or RNA sequences in pathogens. Real-time PCR provides rapid and quantitative results, making it invaluable for diagnosing a wide range of infectious diseases, including viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Next-generation sequencing technologies have ushered in an era of genomics-based diagnostics. NGS can sequence entire pathogen genomes quickly and at relatively low cost. This capability not only aids in pathogen identification but also helps track the evolution and spread of infectious agents. Mass spectrometry has gained popularity as a diagnostic tool for identifying pathogens.