title: Advances in multiparametric molecular diagnostics technologies for respiratory tract infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are caused by a variety of bacterial, viral, fungal, and other pathogens and cause millions of deaths each year. Current standard microbiological culture-based tests are laborious and time consuming. Thus, patients are initially treated empirically, leading to inappropriate use of antibiotics. The purpose of this article is to provide clinicians and scientists with a review of recently available commercial multiparametric molecular diagnostics tests for the detection of RTIs so that they can be considered for use instead of, or in combination with, traditional culture techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several technologies have become commercially available for the multiparametric molecular detection of RTIs in the past decade including tests based on PCR-array, PCR-mass spectrometry, and multiplex qPCR technologies. The majority of these tests are for the detection of viruses, but more recently companies have begun to focus on detection of viruses, bacteria, and associated drug resistances in a single product to maximize the information provided to the clinician by a single test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We describe the recent advances in commercial multiparametric molecular diagnostics technologies for the diagnosis of RTIs. Combining the specific and sensitive molecular detection of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and drug resistances is key if molecular methods are to replace traditional culture. The reliability of the molecular drug-resistance markers chosen, the need for the quantitative detection of some organisms, and throughput are also important considerations for new technology developers.
authors: Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Reddington
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Tuite
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Barry
authors: Justin
authors: J
authors: O'Grady
authors: Alimuddin
authors: A
authors: Zumla
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D057089:Pathology, Molecular / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*