I know I had mentioned
most of my blog posts from now on would regard tuberculosis topics. However,
this new post caught my attention while researching. As the oldest of seven, I
have always heard my mom complain about the doctor prognosis when she took her
kids in due to high fevers or vomit. What was annoying to her was that every
time she went, the doctors would say it was a virus. However, viral infections
usually require a long series of blood work to determine if a pathogen is present.
They could have never correctly diagnosed her with that after a few mouth, ear
and eye examinations! Well, this article posted on the Science Daily website described
the discovery of a Real-Time PCR method that can help establish a diagnosis of
a viral infection versus a bacterial infection.
Since the method
involves PRC it must indicate that there is some kind of genetic information
being processed for this diagnosis, right? Indeed, the differing immune system responses
between a viral infection and a bacterial infection lies at the genetic level
where certain genes are turned on during a viral attack and leave a fingerprint
that can identify the pathogen to be blamed [1]. Because of this,
this new method can be applied and in a trial run showed a high accuracy of
differentiating between a viral and bacterial infection. Researchers controlled
this experiment by analyzing the samples of individuals carrying specific
infections. The scientists indicate that this method can work even when the
pathogen guilty of infection is unknown, unlike in previous blood test work.
Even though the trial
did not use an extensive amount of individuals, and the test is currently
taking 12 hours to complete [1], it is a method we cannot take our
sights off of. More trails and validation tests are still to be done so they
can bring great benefit to the rapid and correct diagnosis of infections. This
however, has me wondering if this method can be used to diagnose tuberculosis
at a faster rate. Presently, a TB test usually takes about 2-3 days and
sometimes even more tests are required for its diagnosis. A 12 hour window
definitely beats that amount of days! And because a major problem in the
resistance of TB treatment is the delay between suspecting you have it and
confirming it [2], this could greatly help prescribe treatments that
are more appropriate for any infection. Would you be willing to give this new
method a try or continue taking the diagnosis doctors give you on a rapid
examination?
Reference:
[1] Duke Medicine (2013, September 18). Genomic test accurately sorts viral vs bacterial infections.ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 20, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130918143305.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fmost_popular+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Most+Popular+News%29
So, I think you make a really good point when you wonder if this can be used to more quickly diagnose TB. I don't have the answer, of course, but I wonder the same thing. The TB test you typically have to take in school isn't without its flaws. If you have a response to the test, it shows up as a positive result, but it doesn't mean you are exactly infected, but that you have at least been exposed to the bacteria. So I wonder if maybe this would be a more rapid, more accurate testing method for this disease as well as many others. Very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteThis post was fun to read and very informative.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I would be willing to give this new method a try even if it does take a little longer than a quick Doctor's prognosis. I already don't like Doctor's offices as it is (especially the copay), and I hate having to constantly go back while they play the guessing game each time.
I have heard about this rapid test before and it is being currently used in most hospitals in the US to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections especially in children. Since there are a few symptoms that appear on the sick person, this makes the clinical differentiation very difficult. This test saves a lot of time and a lot of money. Viral infection do not need antibiotics to treat. Hence if we know beforehand that is a viral infection, we save money and we prevent the side effects of those pesky antibiotics.
ReplyDelete