Respiratory tract infections: Challenges and future perspectives for diagnostic laboratories
Respiratory tract infections are a major cause of increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Clinical severity can range from asymptomatic or mild infections to severe or fatal outcomes. A wide variety of viral pathogens can cause upper and/or lower respiratory tract infections. Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) has revolutionized the diagnostic landscape and is considered the current gold standard for diagnosis. Modern multiplex NAAT panels have increased diagnostic yield and time to result but their impact on patient management and outcomes remains unclear.
The COVID-19 pandemic still poses a significant threat to public health. An increasing number of SARS-CoV-2 infections will most likely again dominate the upcoming winter season in the northern hemisphere. However, after two years of atypical flu seasons, influenza may strike back along with other viral respiratory tract pathogens, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinoviruses. This will challenge diagnostic laboratories as combination SARS-CoV-2/influenza virus/RSV NAAT tests may be necessary. Novel tests have entered the market, but thorough validation is still mandatory before any routine diagnostic use.
In this webinar, Prof. Dr. med. Marcus Panning, Head of the Clinical Virus Genomics Department within the Institute of Virology, at the University of Freiburg, will review the epidemiology of viral respiratory tract infections and current concepts in diagnostics. In addition, he will present real-world data on their performance and highlight future developments.
Key learning objectives
- Learn about the different diagnostic approaches for respiratory tract infections
- Discover the impact and limitations of molecular testing
- Understand molecular panel testing and future developments
Who should attend
Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Managers, Public Health Professionals, Clinical Researchers, Epidemiologists, Virologists, MDs, Pulmonologists, and Respiratory Specialists.
SelectScience is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.