Molecular diagnostics of bacterial pathogens

Abstract

Molecular diagnostics of bacterial pathogens is a rapidly growing field within clinical microbiology. The first commonly used routine application was the detection of bacterial sexually transmitted pathogens. Most of these micro-organisms are difficult to culture and therefore molecular diagnostics are providing a reliable, easy and high-throughput alternative. Over time, molecular diagnostic methods were developed and implemented for more easily culturable micro-organisms as well. The implementation of molecular tests for detection of bacterial gastrointestinal pathogens is one example that is discussed in this chapter. In this latter area often a combination of molecular diagnostics with conventional culture is preferred. In the final part of the chapter, bacterial typing is highlighted. Molecular typing of bacteria has provided the opportunity, in contrast to conventional typing, to perform same day, high throughput typing. Furthermore, many of the molecular typing methods discussed in this chapter have an improved discriminatory power. In conclusion, the field of molecular diagnostics of bacterial pathogens is constantly moving and new techniques are being developed and implemented in a continuous search for assays with an even higher technical and diagnostic sensitivity and/or specificity. The importance of molecular diagnostics of bacterial pathogens for clinical microbiology laboratories will likely only further increase in the future.