Case Studies in Cost Effectiveness of Molecular Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases: Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Enteroviral Meningitis, and BK Virus Nephropathy

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Pathogen genome amplification is used to detect and identify microorganisms, assess response to therapy, and detect mutations associated with drug resistance. Nucleic acid amplification tests have been shown to be superior to conventional culture-based testing methods in many circumstances. However, the enthusiasm for the technology in clinical laboratories may be decreased by the practical considerations of cost, complexity of the technology, and lack of US Food and Drug Administration–approved tests. The impact of nucleic acid amplification tests on the diagnosis and management of patients with tuberculosis, enteroviral meningitis, and BK virus transplant nephropathy will be examined, with an emphasis on the potential for health care cost savings.

This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit: