Release Date: Oct 2018
CC: PC, MK, PBL, SBP
Dylan R. Pillai, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)
Medical Microbiologist, Calgary Laboratory Services, Calgary, AB, Canada; Associate Professor, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
Description:
Culture Independent Diagnostic Testing (CIDT) for syndromes such as diarrhea is rapidly increasing in North America. Multiplex molecular panels can detect several pathogens in a single test. Each analyte represents bacterial, viral, and parasitic causes of diarrhea. The impact of CIDT is significant as molecular tests are more analytically sensitive, potentially leading to more cases requiring medical intervention. Increased detection rates have consequences for public health reporting. CIDT often implies no isolate is available for further surveillance. Together, these issues require close scrutiny both in the laboratory and in terms of patient management. This session attempts to address these key issues.
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify new technologies in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease.
- Critically evaluate the impact of of molecular diagnostics in diarrhea.
- Correlate culture independent diagnostic testing of gastrointestinal pathogens with clinical disease.
Who should attend? Practicing Pathologists, Residents, Doctoral Scientists, Laboratory Managers, Bench Supervisors