Integrative Biomedical Research
Integrative Biomedical Research (Journal of Angiotherapy) | Online ISSN 3068-6326
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Volume 8 Number 8 2024
REVIEWS (Open Access)
Advances in Molecular Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases: A Review of Technologies, Clinical Impact, and Future Directions
Bandar Awadh M Almutairi 1, Fahad Farej F Alshammari 1, Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Salh Alyousef 1, Tariq Mohammed Ruwayshid Alrehaili 1, Ali Abdullah Ali Al Shehri 2, Mohammed Saeed Saleh Al Qahtani 1, Sultan Obaid Salem Alharbi 1, Abdullah Sabih Alanazi 1, Rashed Nasser Salem Aldawsari 1, Munawir Zinaf M Alqahtani 3, Majed Malfi Salem Al-Harbi 3*
Journal of Angiotherapy 8 (8) 1-13 https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherpay.8810536
Submitted: 27 May 2024 Revised: 14 August 2024 Accepted: 20 August 2024 Published: 22 August 2024
Abstract
Molecular diagnostics has reshaped the landscape of infectious disease detection by offering clinicians the ability to identify pathogens with exceptional speed and precision. This review explores how technologies such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and isothermal amplification have transformed routine clinical practice. Unlike conventional culture-based tests that often require days to yield results, molecular tools can detect viral, bacterial, and emerging pathogens directly from patient samples—sometimes even before symptoms appear. This early detection capability not only supports prompt clinical decisions but also plays a vital role in breaking chains of transmission during outbreaks. Across the studies reviewed, several themes consistently emerged: improved diagnostic accuracy, enhanced capacity to track genetic mutations, and meaningful insights into antimicrobial resistance patterns. These strengths make molecular diagnostics indispensable for managing fast-moving infectious threats and guiding personalized treatment plans. However, the review also highlights practical challenges that limit widespread adoption, including high costs, the need for specialized laboratory infrastructure, quality-control requirements, and ongoing ethical concerns surrounding genomic data. Despite these barriers, innovations are rapidly advancing. Portable devices, point-of-care assays, and AI-assisted interpretation tools are expanding access and simplifying clinical workflows. Together, the evidence shows that molecular diagnostics is no longer a specialized technology reserved for advanced laboratories—it is becoming a foundational component of modern healthcare. Its continued development promises earlier detection, stronger surveillance systems, and more effective responses to global infectious disease challenges.
Keywords: Molecular diagnostics; PCR; qPCR; NGS; infectious diseases; early detection; antimicrobial resistance; outbreak surveillance; point-of-care testing; epidemiology.
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