Rapid molecular theranostics in infectious diseases

Drug Discov Today. 2002 Nov 1;7(21):1092-101. doi: 10.1016/s1359-6446(02)02497-2.

Abstract

The increasing availability of rapid and sensitive nucleic acid testing assays for infectious diseases will revolutionize the practice of medicine by gradually reducing the need for standard culture-based microbiological methods that take at least two days. Molecular theranostics in infectious diseases is an emerging concept in which molecular biology tools are used to provide rapid and accurate diagnostic assays to enable better initial management of patients and more efficient use of antimicrobials. Essential conditions and the quality control required for the development and validation of such molecular theranostic assays are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / chemistry
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Communicable Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Communicable Diseases / genetics
  • Humans
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / trends
  • Nucleic Acids / isolation & purification
  • Viruses / chemistry
  • Viruses / genetics

Substances

  • Nucleic Acids