Diagnostics
"Rapid diagnostics could save lives and dramatically reduce unnecessary antibiotic use"
Photograph/Illustration: Generated with AI
This category is dedicated to the field of diagnostics, which focuses on the rapid and accurate identification of pathogens and their resistance profiles. Effective diagnostics are a cornerstone of antimicrobial stewardship, as they provide the crucial information needed to move away from broad-spectrum antibiotic use towards targeted, effective treatment.
Content covers the development and application of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), Point-of-Care (POC) devices, advanced Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) methods, and molecular diagnostics. The category also includes the search for biomarkers that can differentiate between bacterial and viral infections, a key strategy to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure the right drug is used for the right bug at the right time.
Diagnostic tools and technologies play a crucial role in the effective management of bacterial infections. Accurate and timely diagnostic tools help clinicians identify the specific pathogen responsible for an infection, which enables targeted treatment with the right antibiotic, at the correct dose, and for the appropriate duration. This precision avoids both undertreatment and unnecessary use of antibiotics, which are key drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), i.e. rational pharmacotherapy. Improved diagnostic modalities also allow for monitoring resistance patterns within hospitals and health systems, helping to track which bacteria are becoming harder to treat. Faster and more accurate tests empower clinicians to choose targeted therapies instead of broad-spectrum antibiotics, further reducing the risk of resistance and improving patient outcomes.
In summary, antimicrobial diagnostics are essential for:
- Ensuring effective and responsible antibiotic use
- Preventing unnecessary prescriptions
- Monitoring resistance trends
- Supporting antimicrobial stewardship programs
These functions and novel solutions in the field collectively help slow the spread of AMR and preserve the effectiveness of existing antibiotics which is the very focus and purpose of this category.
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
Author information Authors and Affiliations Department of Thyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China Di Zeng, Jianyong Lei & Zhihui Li Corresponding authors Correspondence to Jianyong Lei or Zhihui Li. Supplementary information Supplementary information (download PDF ) Rights and permissions Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder.
