Rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases [Enfeksiyon hastaliklarinda hizli tani testleri]

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases accelerates the initiation of appropriate management and reduces unnecessary additional diagnostic testing, use of antimicrobial therapy, and hospitalizations. Rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases are influenced by technologic developments. The focus of rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases in the last years has shifted from rapid diagnostic tests suitable for the bedside. Earlier developed tests used latex or other particle agglutination methods, but most of the rapid tests in use currently use enzyme immunoassay method. This test is suitable for the evaluation of patients in the office or clinics who are suspected of having an infectious disease. In this article, the available licensed rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases are discussed. The diagnostic accuracy, application and features of rapid diagnostic tests for bacterial pathogens (Group A streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium difficile and Borrelia burgdorferi), viral pathogens (influenza virus A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human immunodeficiency virus), and parasitic pathogens (Plasmodium spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica) were evaluated