Talking Diagnostics: A "Culture" Moving to PCR

Laboratories performing diagnostic testing for infectious diseases have an obligation to meet the needs of multiple patient populations. With infectious disease, time it takes for reporting can have many implications, mainly in terms of infection control, prevention of spread, reduction of healthcare and other associated costs and applying the right treatment in a timely manner. In addition, laboratories must be equipped with testing mechanisms that are sensitive, specific and affordable to their operation.

Putting our focus on gastrointestinal diseases, stool culture has for long been the standard in diagnosing an infection. However, in recent years, many laboratories have started adopting PCR-based panels to test for infections with gastrointestinal pathogens. But what would be a good way to transition from stool culture to PCR?

With molecular testing being adopted as the first stop for testing for many infectious diseases, it is important to discuss best practices and how introducing molecular testing for gastrointestinal infections can allow laboratories to operate efficiently, while at the same time fulfilling the needs of the public. Join us for a discussion with Dr Michael Perry, Deputy Lead Scientist at the UK Anaerobe Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology Cardiff, to learn from his experience leading an important laboratory and what best practices can by adopted for laboratorians looking to transition from culture to molecular diagnostics.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of stool culture and PCR diagnostics.

2. Demonstrate how to effectively transition from culture to PCR.

3. Identify how can laboratories increase their readiness to respond to outbreaks.