Current and Future Opportunities for Rapid Diagnostics in Antimicrobial Stewardship

Med Clin North Am. 2018 Sep;102(5):899-911. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2018.05.004. Epub 2018 Jul 14.

Abstract

Rapid diagnostic testing has improved clinical care of patients with infectious syndromes when combined with antimicrobial stewardship. The authors review the current data on antimicrobial stewardship and rapid diagnostic testing in bloodstream, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract infections. Evidence for the potential benefit of rapid tests in bloodstream infections seems strong, respiratory tract infections mixed, and gastrointestinal tract infections still evolving. The authors also review future directions in rapid diagnostic testing and suggest areas of focus for antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

Keywords: Antimicrobial stewardship; Diagnostic stewardship; Infections; Rapid diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship / organization & administration*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial / drug effects*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Microbiological Techniques / methods*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Sepsis / diagnosis
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents