Question

Describe the ways in which molecular testing can benefit public health with regard to infectious diseases.

What role do you think that molecular testing should be used in the clinical laboratory?

Provide three reasons why molecular testing may be more beneficial in a clinical lab compared to traditional testing with regard to Infectious Diseases.

Genome Sequencing Used To Find Deadly Bacteria.

The Wall Street Journal (9/5, Mckay, Subscription Publication) reports that increased speed and lowered costs have made it possible for whole-genome sequencing to be utilized more broadly, and public health experts are revolutionizing outbreak response by using it to unmask dangerous pathogens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Thomas Frieden said, “We can stop outbreaks quicker and figure out ways pathogens are spreading that we don’t currently know.” The Obama Administration is hoping to receive $40 million for an “advanced molecular detection” initiative in 2014 to expand the CDC’s ability to sequence and analyze bacteria. Officials with the Food and Drug Administration are also working to develop ways to use sequencing to investigate food-borne outbreaks

Answer 1

Molecular testing helps to identify the specific organism and to inhibit the infectious disease spread in the public. It improves the patient's outcomes, limits the intake of antimicrobial agents, reduced hospital stay, and hospital costs. It reduces the burden of community problems.

Commercial Kits detect the pathogen in a standardized form. Identification and quantification of pathogen help to detect the antimicrobial resistance genes. Molecular straining helps a great way in infection control practices and genotyping.

• Molecular testing helps to study the relationship between the colonizing and infecting organisms.
• Compared to traditional testing, molecular testing distinguishes the infecting strains, nosocomial transmission, and relapsed period in an identified patient.
• Molecular testing detects the pathogens more quickly compared to traditional methods. It is easy to access and inexpensive.