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Diagnostic Testing of Neurologic Infections
Prashanth S Ramachandran1, Michael R Wilson1
1Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, NS212A, Campus Box 3206, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
Neurologic Clinics
|October 28, 2018
Summary
Diagnosing neuroinfectious diseases requires understanding conventional tests and embracing comprehensive, agnostic assays for better patient outcomes. These infections cause significant global morbidity and mortality, necessitating accurate and timely diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Neuroinfectious diseases pose a significant global health burden, causing substantial morbidity, mortality, and long-term neurologic sequelae.
- Emerging and reemerging pathogens present ongoing challenges in diagnosis and management.
- Accurate etiologic diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of neuroinvasive infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of understanding conventional diagnostic tests for neuroinfectious diseases.
- To emphasize the growing need for comprehensive, agnostic diagnostic platforms.
- To improve the diagnostic capabilities for a wide range of neuroinvasive infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of conventional diagnostic methods including culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), antigen, and antibody tests.
- Discussion of the characteristics and limitations of candidate-based diagnostics.
- Exploration of the potential of comprehensive, agnostic testing modalities.
Main Results:
- Conventional tests, while valuable, require careful interpretation of their individual characteristics.
- A single assay capable of identifying diverse pathogens is increasingly needed.
- Current diagnostic approaches may not cover the full spectrum of neuroinfectious agents.
Conclusions:
- Physicians must possess a thorough understanding of existing diagnostic test performance.
- Development and implementation of comprehensive, agnostic assays are essential for advancing neuroinfectious disease diagnostics.
- Integrated diagnostic strategies are key to combating the global impact of these diseases.
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