Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

14:56
Remote Laboratory Management: Respiratory Virus Diagnostics
Published on: April 6, 2019
In vitro diagnostics for respiratory infections: current state and opportunities
Ana Catalina Hernandez Padilla1,2,3, Kateryna Viligorska4, Juan Pablo Rodríguez Ruiz5
1UMR INSERM 1092, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France.
Breathe (Sheffield, England)
|May 21, 2026
Summary
Diagnostic tests can help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use for respiratory infections, combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This review explores tools and challenges in primary care settings to fight AMR.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute respiratory tract infections are a major primary care concern.
- Unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions fuel antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- AMR increases infectious disease burden and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the role of in vitro diagnostic tests in combating AMR.
- To review current and emerging diagnostic tools for respiratory infections.
- To identify challenges in diagnostic test implementation and impact assessment.
Main Methods:
- Report from a joint European research seminar (November 2023).
- Review of available and developmental in vitro diagnostic tools.
- Discussion of challenges in assessment, clinical implementation, and AMR impact.
Main Results:
- In vitro diagnostics offer a strategy to combat AMR in respiratory infections.
- Various diagnostic tools exist and are under development.
- Significant challenges hinder optimal assessment and implementation.
Conclusions:
- Diagnostic stewardship is crucial for managing AMR in primary care.
- Effective implementation of diagnostic tests can optimize antibiotic use.
- Further research and collaboration are needed to overcome implementation barriers.
Related Concept Videos
Automated Microbial Diagnostics
Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:

