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Next Steps: Studying Diabetic Foot Infections with Next-Generation Molecular Assays

Caitlin Sande1, Zoë J Boston2, Lindsay R Kalan1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Room 4H41, 1200 Main St West, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada.

Current Infectious Disease Reports
|July 26, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Molecular microbiology shows promise for diagnosing diabetic foot infections. While not yet clinically ready, advanced techniques like metagenomics could improve patient care by identifying infection-related microbiome profiles.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Diabetic Foot Care

Background:

  • Concerns exist regarding molecular microbiology for diagnosing diabetic foot infections.
  • International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot highlighted key issues in 2019.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Evaluate current evidence on molecular microbiology for diabetic foot ulcers.
  • Address concerns raised by the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot.
  • Explore future directions for molecular diagnostic assay development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of contemporary evidence on molecular microbiology techniques.
  • Analysis of feasibility studies for metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis.
  • Assessment of potential for clinical translation of advanced sequencing methods.

Main Results:

  • Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic studies on diabetic foot ulcer samples are feasible.
  • Preliminary studies have limitations including small sample sizes and potential bias.
  • Larger, longitudinal studies are needed to link microbiome profiles to infection and outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • High-throughput molecular microbiology is not yet suitable for routine clinical diagnostics.
  • Advancements from amplicon sequencing to metagenomics and metatranscriptomics can accelerate assay development.
  • Future molecular assays hold potential to significantly improve patient care for diabetic foot infections.
Keywords:
Amplicon sequencingAmputationMetagenomicsMetatranscriptomicsMicrobiomeUlcer

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