Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy
Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has significantly impacted the field of infectious disease diagnostics, offering rapid and precise identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Unlike traditional culture methods, which may take days to yield results, multiplex PCR provides diagnostic i...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/8/1044 |
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| author | Francesca Serapide Rita Pallone Angela Quirino Nadia Marascio Giorgio Settimo Barreca Chiara Davoli Rosaria Lionello Giovanni Matera Alessandro Russo |
| author_facet | Francesca Serapide Rita Pallone Angela Quirino Nadia Marascio Giorgio Settimo Barreca Chiara Davoli Rosaria Lionello Giovanni Matera Alessandro Russo |
| author_sort | Francesca Serapide |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has significantly impacted the field of infectious disease diagnostics, offering rapid and precise identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Unlike traditional culture methods, which may take days to yield results, multiplex PCR provides diagnostic insights within hours, enabling faster, targeted antimicrobial therapy and reducing the delay in treating critical infections like sepsis. The technique’s high sensitivity and broad pathogen coverage make it ideal for both single and polymicrobial infections, improving outcomes across respiratory, bloodstream, and bacterial/fungal infections. However, multiplex PCR is not without challenges; initial high costs and the need for specialized training can limit its adoption, especially in low-resource settings. This review discusses the clinical advantages and limitations of multiplex PCR, highlighting its influence on diagnostic accuracy, antimicrobial stewardship, and the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Furthermore, recent innovations in multiplex PCR, such as digital PCR and portable devices, are explored as potential tools for expanding access to rapid diagnostics worldwide. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dabeb79699bf4e6f9947d6578c293d40 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-dabeb79699bf4e6f9947d6578c293d402025-08-20T02:17:14ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-04-01158104410.3390/diagnostics15081044Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial TherapyFrancesca Serapide0Rita Pallone1Angela Quirino2Nadia Marascio3Giorgio Settimo Barreca4Chiara Davoli5Rosaria Lionello6Giovanni Matera7Alessandro Russo8Infectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInfectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyUnit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyUnit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyUnit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInfectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInfectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyUnit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyInfectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyMultiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has significantly impacted the field of infectious disease diagnostics, offering rapid and precise identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Unlike traditional culture methods, which may take days to yield results, multiplex PCR provides diagnostic insights within hours, enabling faster, targeted antimicrobial therapy and reducing the delay in treating critical infections like sepsis. The technique’s high sensitivity and broad pathogen coverage make it ideal for both single and polymicrobial infections, improving outcomes across respiratory, bloodstream, and bacterial/fungal infections. However, multiplex PCR is not without challenges; initial high costs and the need for specialized training can limit its adoption, especially in low-resource settings. This review discusses the clinical advantages and limitations of multiplex PCR, highlighting its influence on diagnostic accuracy, antimicrobial stewardship, and the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Furthermore, recent innovations in multiplex PCR, such as digital PCR and portable devices, are explored as potential tools for expanding access to rapid diagnostics worldwide.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/8/1044multiplex PCRbacterial infectionsfungal infectionsantimicrobial therapyantimicrobial resistance |
| spellingShingle | Francesca Serapide Rita Pallone Angela Quirino Nadia Marascio Giorgio Settimo Barreca Chiara Davoli Rosaria Lionello Giovanni Matera Alessandro Russo Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy Diagnostics multiplex PCR bacterial infections fungal infections antimicrobial therapy antimicrobial resistance |
| title | Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy |
| title_full | Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy |
| title_short | Impact of Multiplex PCR on Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections and Choice of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy |
| title_sort | impact of multiplex pcr on diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infections and choice of appropriate antimicrobial therapy |
| topic | multiplex PCR bacterial infections fungal infections antimicrobial therapy antimicrobial resistance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/8/1044 |
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