Infectious Disease Testing

From Acutis – Need to change

Infectious disease pathogens can be deadly if not managed. Highly infectious or proven benign. Protracted if not contained. The science of molecular diagnostics, along with advancements in traditional lab techniques, provide answers with far greater speed and accuracy.

Our Acutis Reveal™ testing identifies the presence of specific pathogens and determines whether the infection is viral, bacterial, or parasitic in nature. It does this while delivering accurate results, with a measurably faster turnaround time.

In possession of this deeper information, clinicians can devise the most personal course of therapy, while expecting positive outcomes with a greater degree of certainty.

What is Infectious Disease Testing

Infectious disease testing refers to a range of diagnostic techniques and laboratory tests used to identify the presence of pathogens (microorganisms that can cause diseases) in individuals. These tests are essential for diagnosing infectious diseases, tracking the spread of diseases, and implementing appropriate treatment and preventive measures. Infectious disease testing can involve various methods and types of specimens, depending on the specific disease being investigated. Here are some key aspects of infectious disease testing:

  1. Types of Pathogens: Infectious disease testing can target a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Common examples of infectious diseases that require testing include HIV, tuberculosis, COVID-19, hepatitis, influenza, malaria, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

  2. Diagnostic Methods:

    • Molecular Testing: This involves detecting the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of the pathogen. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a commonly used molecular technique.
    • Serological Testing: This measures the presence of antibodies produced by the immune system in response to an infection. Serological tests are used to diagnose past or current infections.
    • Cultures: Pathogens can be grown in laboratory cultures to identify and study them. This method is particularly useful for bacteria.
    • Antigen Tests: These tests detect specific proteins or antigens on the surface of the pathogen.
    • Immunofluorescence: This method uses fluorescent dyes to visualize specific antigens on cells or pathogens.
    • Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs): These tests amplify and detect specific sequences of genetic material, making them highly sensitive and specific.

  3. Specimen Collection: The type of specimen collected depends on the suspected infection and the pathogen involved. Common specimens include blood, urine, throat swabs, nasal swabs, stool samples, cerebrospinal fluid, and tissue biopsies.

  4. Point-of-Care Testing: Some infectious disease tests are designed for use at the point of care, such as rapid antigen tests for diagnosing COVID-19. These tests provide results quickly and are often used in emergency rooms, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

  5. Screening and Surveillance: Infectious disease testing is crucial for screening individuals at risk of infection and for surveillance to monitor the prevalence and spread of diseases in a population.

  6. Treatment and Control: Accurate diagnosis through testing is essential for determining appropriate treatment options, preventing the spread of infectious diseases through isolation and contact tracing, and assessing the effectiveness of public health interventions.

  7. Vaccination: Testing is also used in vaccine development and evaluation, ensuring that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing infectious diseases.

Infectious disease testing plays a pivotal role in public health, helping to diagnose and manage outbreaks, track disease trends, and guide healthcare providers in delivering appropriate care. Advances in diagnostic techniques, including molecular testing and rapid point-of-care assays, have greatly improved the speed and accuracy of infectious disease diagnosis.