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[Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT): the cure-all for the practitioner?]
V D'Acremont1, G Greub, B Genton
1Université de Lausanne. valerie.dacremont@chuv.ch
Revue Medicale Suisse
|June 23, 2011
Summary
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) enable prompt treatment and targeted interventions for infectious diseases. A safe strategy using RDTs for malaria diagnosis, followed by microscopy if needed, has been successfully implemented.
Area of Science:
- Infectious disease diagnostics
- Medical laboratory science
- Public health
Context:
- Over 20 years, numerous rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) have been developed for infectious diseases.
- RDTs offer significant advantages in clinical decision-making and disease management.
- Effective utilization of RDTs requires practitioners to understand their specific characteristics.
Purpose:
- To highlight the benefits of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in managing infectious diseases.
- To present a safe and effective diagnostic strategy for malaria using RDTs.
- To emphasize the importance of understanding RDT characteristics for rational use.
Summary:
- Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) facilitate immediate treatment, specific therapies, transmission interruption, and avoidance of unnecessary antibiotics.
- A novel diagnostic strategy employing RDTs as a first-line tool for malaria, with subsequent microscopy, has been safely implemented in Lausanne since 1999.
- Practitioners must be aware of individual RDT characteristics for optimal application.
Impact:
- Improved patient outcomes through timely and appropriate treatment.
- Reduced healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary investigations and antibiotic use.
- Enhanced public health measures by enabling rapid identification and control of infectious disease outbreaks.
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