From Tradition to Innovation: Diverse Molecular Techniques in the Fight Against Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Infectious diseases impose a significant burden on global health systems due to high morbidity and mortality rates. According to the World Health Organization, millions die from infectious diseases annually, often due to delays in accurate diagnosis. Traditional diagnostic methods in clinical microbiology, primarily culture-based techniques, are time-consuming and may fail with hard-to-culture pathogens. Molecular biology advancements, notably the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have revolutionized infectious disease diagnostics by allowing rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens' genetic material. PCR has become the gold standard for many infections, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged, enabling comprehensive genomic analysis of pathogens, thus facilitating the detection of new strains and antibiotic resistance tracking. Innovative approaches like CRISPR technology are also enhancing diagnostic precision by identifying specific DNA/RNA sequences. However, the implementation of these methods faces challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries due to infrastructural and financial constraints. This review will explore the role of molecular diagnostic methods in infectious disease diagnosis, comparing their advantages and limitations, with a focus on PCR and NGS technologies and their future potential.

Keywords: infectious diseases; molecular diagnostics; next-generation sequencing (NGS); polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Figure 1

Working principle of polymerase chain reaction.

Figure 2

Workflow of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique.

Figure 3

Generations of sequencing technologies.