Sexual Health
The rapid and accurate detection of sexually transmitted pathogens is clinically important to obtaining prognostic information, limiting additional diagnostic testing, instituting appropriate infection control precautions, and limiting unnecessary treatment. Molecular methods offer the advantages of rapidity and the ability to detect pathogens regardless of growth requirements or the availability of reagents for rapid diagnostic testing.
Respiratory
The rapid and accurate detection of respiratory pathogens is important. Potential advantages of specific pathogen detection include obtaining prognostic information, limiting additional testing, instituting appropriate infection control precautions and limiting unnecessary antibiotic usage1.