ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT A diversity of viral and microbial pathogens can give rise to lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). This diversity and the commonality among the clinical syndromes render differential diagnosis complicated and time consuming. In other words, the spectrum of causative organisms outweighs the technological possibilities of classical, culture-based microbiology and virology laboratories. Obviously, there is a lingering need for improvement in the complex field of infectious disease diagnosis. The development of molecular methodology was initially considered a panacea, but replacement of conventional tests by molecular procedures is a slow and cautious process. The nucleic acid-driven possibilities for improvement of diagnosis of LRTI, however, are large in number and several of these innovative tests are currently in their break-through state. This chapter surveys these novel possibilities and provides examples of the new nucleic acid detection and identification tests and their current and anticipated impact on the management of LRTI and other infectious diseases. Special focus will be with laboratory automation, quality control requirements and the rise and shine of quantitative real-time test formats. These technological improvements facilitate major new steps towards the integration of molecular technology in clinical diagnostics of all major infectious diseases.
