Combatting Misdiagnosis and Antibiotic Misuse with Syndromic qPCR Testing

Syndromic qPCR testing has become essential for accurate and efficient diagnosis. It allows simultaneous detection of various pathogens, enhancing diagnostic precision and aiding effective treatment planning. Being able to quickly identify multiple pathogens from a single sample reduces diagnostic turnaround time, enabling healthcare providers to initiate effective treatment promptly, thereby improving patient outcomes.

For instance, in Spain, a 76-year-old man suffered from severe diarrhea and was misdiagnosed through bacterial culture for a month. Syndromic testing using Allplex™ GI panel assays identified the exact pathogen, enabling him to receive appropriate treatment. Empirical treatment based on symptoms often leads to antibiotic misuse and overuse, even for viral infections. The IMPACT* study revealed that 38% of pediatric bloody diarrhea cases had no identifiable pathogens, yet 43% received unnecessary antibiotics. In an era where antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens global health, syndromic qPCR testing is crucial.

*IMPACT: Implementation of molecular diagnostic for pediatric acute gastroenteritis

Enhancing Cost-Effectiveness and Patient Care with Syndromic qPCR Testing

Syndromic testing conserves resources and streamlines the diagnostic process by reducing the need for multiple individual tests. This improves cost-effectiveness and reduces diagnostic costs. Patients diagnosed with the flu via syndromic qPCR testing had shorter hospital stays and less chest radiography use compared to conventional diagnostic methods.

A US study found that syndromic qPCR testing for gastrointestinal infections reduced specimen collection time by 0.5 days, decreased the need for imaging studies, and lowered overall healthcare costs despite increased laboratory costs. Although syndromic qPCR testing has higher initial costs, it reduces the risk of 30-day acute gastroenteritis (AGE)-related hospitalization, offsetting expenses with lower follow-up costs. These findings endorse improved care for adult outpatients with AGE in hospital settings.

Patients and Clinicians' Response to Syndromic qPCR Testing

A survey study of 360 respiratory patients showed that satisfaction rates were more than twice as high with syndromic qPCR testing compared to the standard of care.

Syndromic qPCR Testing for Better Clinical Outcomes

The increase in multiple infections and AMR underscores the necessity of syndromic qPCR testing for better clinical decisions and patient outcomes. This testing method provides accurate and timely diagnoses, reducing the health burden and elevating patient and clinician satisfaction. Seegene offers a range of assays for syndromic qPCR testing, ensuring comprehensive and reliable diagnostic solutions.

1 Lewinski et al., 2023; 2 Maldonado-Barrueco et al., 2022; 3Cho et al., 2024; 4 Li et al., 2024; 5 Messacar et al., 2022; 6 Cohen et al., 2021; 7 ESCMID 2024, A. Meltzer; 8 Danino et al., 2023; 9 Mohtar et al., 2024; 10 Lewinski et al., 2023; 11 Alkorta et al., 2022; 12 ESCMID 2024, P. Fonseca Romero; 13 O Sartelli et al.,2024; 14 ESCMID 2024, Hartung Hansen; 15 Tiew et al., 2023; 16 Dumkow et al., 2021; 17 Rappo et al., 2016; 18 Beal et al., 2017; 19 Moon et al., 2023