nbcnews.com
Advanced Pathogen Detection Test
A new genetic sequencing test effectively diagnoses various infections, especially neurological ones, despite cost and FDA approval limitations.
English
United States
HealthArtificial IntelligenceHealthcareMedical TechnologyInfectious DiseasesDiagnostic TestingGenetic Sequencing
University Of CaliforniaSan Francisco (Ucsf)Food And Drug Administration (Fda)University Of Southern California
Charles ChiuSusan Butler-Wu
- How does the test work in identifying pathogens?
- The test analyzes DNA and RNA from various samples to detect viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites by comparing them to a pathogen database; it's particularly useful for diagnosing illnesses when initial tests are inconclusive.
- What are some significant successes of the test?
- The test has successfully identified the cause of encephalitis outbreaks in transplant recipients and a meningitis outbreak after surgeries in Mexico, demonstrating its potential for identifying novel viruses and pandemic origins.
- What is the future outlook for this diagnostic test?
- Despite limitations like complexity and potential interpretation issues, the test shows promise as an additional diagnostic tool in hospitals, potentially aiding in broader diagnoses of illnesses like pneumonia or sepsis, with hopes to reduce its cost and turnaround time.
- What are the main limitations of this advanced diagnostic test?
- While effective, the test is expensive ($3,000 per sample) and not yet FDA-approved, limiting its widespread use; it's currently used as a last resort due to cost and availability in specialized labs.
- What is the primary function of the new advanced diagnostic test?
- This advanced diagnostic test uses genetic sequencing to identify various pathogens causing illnesses, proving effective in diagnosing neurological infections like meningitis.