Molecular Detection of Diarrheal Pathogens

Acute diarrhea is an extremely common illness and causes a spectrum of disease, from loose bowel movements to severe dehydration and death. Most cases of acute diarrhea, and a proportion of chronic diarrhea cases, are associated with infections or their toxins, yet current diagnostic strategies are complex, time-consuming, and generally unproductive. Uniplex assays for bacteria such as Clostridium difficile or Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli are quicker than culture and more sensitive than antigen-based methods, while molecular methods for viral targets have largely replaced electron microscopy or antigen detection.
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: news