Vol.59 No.5 September 2011
Update on molecular diagnostic and typing techniques and their use in the control of infectious diseases
Department of Microbiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagito, Gifu, Japan
Abstract
Molecular microbiology techniques have been proven to be a major technological advance that can make a positive contribution to healthcare. They are useful supplements to conventional techniques not only in directly detecting pathogens from clinical specimens, but also in characterizing organisms from cultures. In addition, molecular methods are an essential tool in epidemiology by providing strain-typing information that support outbreak investigations, and reduce the risk of nosocomial transmission within healthcare facilities. It is anticipated that molecular methods will soon be adapted by laboratories for routine use. This review will focus on emerging molecular technologies and their clinical utility for the identification and characterization of pathogens with a focus on those that cause hospital-acquired infection.
Key word
molecular diagnostics, infection control, molecular epidemiology, multiplex PCR, microarray
Received
July 8, 2011
Accepted
July 11, 2011
Jpn. J. Chemother. 59 (5): 441-453, 2011
