Advances in Pathogen Detection: From Traditional Methods to Nanotechnology, Biosensing and AI Integration

The rapid and precise detection of pathogenic microbes plays a critical role in the successful diagnosis, management, and containment of infectious diseases. In this review article, we systematically examine the latest technological progress in methodologies for identifying disease-causing microorganisms. These methods are categorized into six major approaches: traditional culture-based techniques, immunological assays, molecular biological methods, metabolic profiling, spectroscopic technologies, and emerging nanotechnology-driven innovations. Moreover, this review offers a comparative assessment of these techniques, shedding light on their underlying mechanisms, strengths, weaknesses, and practical applications in real-world scenarios. This review also discusses the integration of artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques, paving the way for next-generation pathogen surveillance. In light of the preceding analysis, this review highlights cutting-edge technological developments that could facilitate more efficient, precise, and widely available methods for identifying pathogenic microorganisms. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing.