REASSURED Multiplex Diagnostics: A Critical Review and Forecast

Area of Science:

• Medical Diagnostics
• Infectious Diseases
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Infectious disease diagnostics must be affordable, accessible, and accurate.
• The World Health Organization's ASSURED (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free, Deliverable) criteria guide test development.
• The digital age necessitates revised REASSURED (Real-time connectivity, Ease of specimen collection, Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free or simple, Deliverable) criteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current multiplexed diagnostic technologies.
• To identify methods capable of detecting multiple infectious disease targets simultaneously.
• To assess these technologies against the REASSURED criteria.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of multiplexed diagnostic technologies.
• Analysis of diagnostic methods based on REASSURED criteria.
• Forecasting the future potential of identified technologies.

Main Results:

• Many single-target diagnostics exist, but multiplexed detection is increasingly vital.
• Syndromic infections, coinfections, and antimicrobial resistance drive the need for multiplexed tests.
• Several technologies show promise for multi-target detection meeting REASSURED standards.

Conclusions:

• Multiplexed diagnostics are essential for modern infectious disease management.
• Further development is needed to ensure multiplexed tests meet all REASSURED criteria.
• Promising technologies offer potential for comprehensive and accessible infectious disease diagnostics.