We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Next Generation Sequencing Provides Responsiveness for Identifying Resistant Pathogens

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 Jul 2015
Print article
According to a new market analysis, next generation sequencing (NGS) may impact the infectious diseases IVD sector by bypassing some of the downside of PCR-based testing, as NGS can provide more flexibility and responsiveness in identification of new pathogenic strains.

NGS may earn its place in clinical testing as its use in labs is well-timed with the growing need for responsiveness in the area of antimicrobial resistance and pathogen typing, according to Kalorama Information (New York, NY, USA). When strains change their makeup, molecular tests often can't keep up while sequencing remains flexible. Adaptability is a problem with standard approaches. Primer and probe selection for molecular assays is a well-developed process, but such assays lack adaptability once set in place for routine use. The fluid genetics of particularly virulent and antimicrobial-resistant strains and clones are at times capable of escaping the specificity of selected probes and primers.

"Specificity is molecular diagnostics' major strength, but is also a weakness when assay development isn't caught up with microbial adaptation," said Emil Salazar, Kalorama Information analyst, "NGS can overcome this limitation with the flexibility to detect any number of genetic variants."

Company and market information and other trends regarding NGS and healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are available through Kalorama’s reports: “Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Markets 2015 (Systems, Consumables, Services, Acquisitions, Agreements, Competitive Analysis, Platforms, Applications, Brand Ownership and Other Trends)” and “Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Control Markets (Disinfection, Area, Sterilization, Device Sterilization, Testing-C.diff, Testing-MRSA, Treatments).”

Established assay forms such as real-time PCR (qPCR) are able to overcome narrow analytical scope through multiplexed panels, particularly beneficial in the case of critical infections, providing positive identification with shorter turnaround. Nevertheless, labs still point to drawbacks of larger panels that may include higher test product prices and undesirable selection of targets.

NGS will not fully replace, and even has yet to compete well with, common molecular diagnostics such as PCR, which remains effective. However, the specificity of PCR makes it less suitable for clinical epidemiology and personalized medicine – two significant areas of health spending growth, particularly due to the unfortunate challenge of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). Multiplexed HAI assay kits currently remain largely unavailable for the clinical market, most are available only as laboratory developed tests (LDTs) or testing services without premarket approval or other clearance processes.

With NGS, the onus is shifted considerably from hypothesis-driven diagnosis to the interpretation of more data-rich results. In the case of infectious disease testing, the risk is considerable as it surpasses individual outcomes and could impact public health, justifying careful deliberation by regulators.

Kalorama’s report comprehensively analyzes research and clinical markets for NGS as well as transformative iterations of the technology already edging into "third-generation sequencing" territory.

Related Links:

Kalorama Information
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Markets 2015, report
Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Control Markets, report


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.