Integration of PCR and NGS in the diagnostic testing for Mycobacterium

Dr. Shaun Yang, Director of the Molecular Microbiology and Pathogen Genomics Laboratory at UCLA Health, discusses the rapid diagnostics of emerging diseases, focusing particularly on the integration of PCR and NGS for diagnosing mycobacterium respiratory infections.

He explores how smear, culture and molecular testing are the three cornerstones of Mycobacterium workup and how understanding the difference in sensitivity and speed of the three diagnostic modalities is essential.

Plus, he highlights how the integration of PCR and NGS in the diagnostic testing workflow can lead to faster turnaround times and more accurate species-level identification.