Rapid detection and identification of bacterial pathogens using novel molecular technologies: Infection control and beyond

The rapid detection and reporting of antimicrobial- resistant pathogens, such as methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin- resistant enterococci, and multidrug- resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a challenge for the clinical microbiology laboratory. Molecular- based diagnostic tests can provide data on the presence of methicillin- resistant S. aureus in the nares in similar to 1 h, whereas testing for the vanA and vanB resistance genes in enterococci isolated from perirectal samples can be completed in similar to 4 h. Novel pyrosequencing assays can provide data regarding the presence of multidrug- resistant M. tuberculosis directly from positive mycobacterial broth cultures in < 1 day. These data can assist physicians in both therapeutic and infection control decisions.