New Tools Against Gastrointestinal Infections
Medical technology is advancing rapidly, and new fast-testing systems are revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of various ailments, including gastrointestinal infections and meningitis. These novel systems, based on PCR multiplex technology, offer accurate results in about an hour—a significant improvement over traditional methods that could take days.
One such solution now allows for the detection and differentiation of up to 22 gastrointestinal pathogens in a single examination. Using minimal samples, the test identifies common bacteria like Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp, as well as frequent viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus A, the main culprits behind gastroenteritis outbreaks in the country.
The system uses an integrated cartridge that simplifies laboratory processes, reducing manual work and the possibility of errors. Allan Munford, Regional Marketing Manager at QIAGEN, explains to El Economista: “Before the pandemic, we were talking about diagnoses taking 2 to 4 days. Now, in just one hour, we can provide a response to doctors.”
Informed Treatment Decisions
This speed allows doctors to make more informed decisions, especially regarding antibiotic use. Munford emphasizes that the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, often administered to patients with uncertain diagnoses, can be toxic—especially for children and is not always the most effective treatment.
An important feature of this test is its ability to identify not only the presence of Escherichia coli, but also whether it produces the Shiga toxin, which can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe kidney-attacking disease. In such cases, antibiotic use is contraindicated, making rapid detection crucial for patient safety.
A Weapon Against Meningitis
In addition to gastrointestinal tests, a similar solution has arrived in Mexico for meningitis, a serious neurological condition requiring immediate medical attention. The Meningitis QIAstat-Dx panel allows for the simultaneous detection of 15 pathogens associated with central nervous system infections in about an hour.
“Meningitis requires immediate medical attention. Traditional methods can take more than two days to release results,” Munford stressed. The QIAstat-Dx offers an integrated and efficient alternative, significantly reducing response time without compromising reliability.
The panel has high sensitivity and specificity, making it a reliable tool for healthcare professionals. It identifies bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens, from herpesvirus to streptococcus pneumoniae, with minimal cerebrospinal fluid samples.
The Importance of Precision Medicine
These tests represent a significant step toward precision medicine, which seeks specific treatments based on accurate diagnoses. The speed and accuracy of these tools not only benefit patients by enabling early therapeutic intervention but also aid in epidemiological management by identifying outbreaks and preventing disease spread in hospitals and communities.
Munford notes that while the medical community is highly segmented and diverse, with some professionals attending international conferences and learning about cutting-edge technologies, others in local communities may not stay updated on these advancements. However, both groups will benefit from these technologies due to their extensive pathogen coverage and ease of use.
“Imagine a one-year-old child presenting with discomfort; it’s challenging to gather information because the child lacks communication tools, and doctors may not have many diagnostic options. With tests like these, you can be confident of administering a specific antibiotic tailored to the bacteria causing the illness within an hour, making a significant difference.”
He adds that medical professionals and the public should be aware of this technology. “Today, it’s more accessible in major cities like Mexico City, São Paulo, Brazil, Bogotá, Colombia, and Lima, Peru,” Munford says.
Both technologies are now available in Mexico and being implemented in various cities, in both public and private hospitals. QIAGEN hopes that access to these tests will continue expanding, particularly in the public sector, so more people can benefit from timely diagnoses.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are these rapid diagnostic tests for? These tests target gastrointestinal infections and meningitis, providing quick and accurate diagnoses.
- How do these tests work? They use PCR multiplex technology and an integrated cartridge system, offering results in approximately one hour.
- Why are these tests important? They enable more informed treatment decisions, especially regarding antibiotic use, and contribute to precision medicine.
- What makes these tests unique? They can identify multiple pathogens in a single sample, reducing manual work and potential errors.
- Where are these tests available? They are currently implemented in various Mexican cities, both public and private hospitals.