Searching for the elusive typhoid diagnostic.
Typhoid (enteric) fever is still a common disease in many developing countries but current diagnostic tests are inadequate. Studies on pathogenesis and genomics have provided new insight into the organisms that cause enteric fever. Better understanding of the microorganisms explains, in part, why our current typhoid methodologies are limited in their diagnostic information and why developing new strategies may be a considerable challenge. Here we discuss the current position of typhoid diagnostics, highlight the need for technological improvements and suggest potential ways of advancing this area.
Baker
Stephen
S
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. sbaker@oucru.org
Favorov
Michael
M
Dougan
Gordon
G
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000175:diagnosis*