Public health impacts of culture independent diagnostic testing in Australia
Fiona J May
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Metro North Public Health Unit
Queensland Health
Windsor, Qld, Australia
Tel: +61 7 3624 1212
Email: Fiona.May@health.qld.gov.au
Microbiology Australia 38(4) 162-164 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA17058
Published: 9 November 2017
Abstract
Culture independent diagnostic tests (CIDT) for detection of pathogens in clinical specimens have become widely adopted in Australian pathology laboratories. Pathology laboratories are the primary source of notification of pathogens to state and territory surveillance systems. Monitoring and analysis of surveillance data is integral to guiding public health actions to reduce the incidence of disease and respond to outbreaks. As with any change in testing protocol, the advantages and disadvantages of the change from culture based testing to culture independent testing need to be weighed up and the impact on surveillance and outbreak detection assessed. This article discusses the effect of this change in testing on surveillance and public health management of pathogens in Australia, with specific focus on gastrointestinal pathogens.
References
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