A 'culture' shift: Application of molecular techniques for diagnosing polymicrobial infections

Abstract

With the advancement of microbiological discovery, it is evident that many infections, particularly bloodstream infections, are polymicrobial in nature. Consequently, new challenges have emerged in identifying the numerous etiologic organisms in an accurate and timely manner using the current diagnostic standard. Various molecular diagnostic methods have been utilized as an effort to provide a fast and reliable identification in lieu or parallel to the conventional culture-based methods. These technologies are mostly based on nucleic acid, proteins, or physical properties of the pathogens with differing advantages and limitations. This review evaluates the different molecular methods and technologies currently available to diagnose polymicrobial infections, which will help determine the most appropriate option for future diagnosis.

Keywords: Bacterial infection; Bloodstream infection; Broad testing; Drug resistance; Fingerprinting; Molecular diagnostics; Polymicrobial infection; Sepsis; Sequencing; Target-specific.