Implications of Using Host Response-Based Molecular Diagnostics on the Management of Bacterial and Viral Infections: A Review

Abstract

Host-based diagnostics are a rapidly evolving field that may serve as an alternative to traditional pathogen-based diagnostics for infectious diseases. Understanding the exact mechanisms underlying a host-immune response and deriving specific host-response signatures, biomarkers and gene transcripts will potentially achieve improved diagnostics that will ultimately translate to better patient outcomes. Several studies have focused on novel techniques and assays focused on immunodiagnostics. In this review, we will highlight recent publications on the current use of host-based diagnostics alone or in combination with traditional microbiological assays and their potential future implications on the diagnosis and prognostic accuracy for the patient with infectious complications. Finally, we will address the cost-effectiveness implications from a healthcare and public health perspective.

Managing Viral Emerging Infectious Diseases via Current and Future Molecular Diagnostics

“…One is that it requires a minimal pathogen load in the blood, which can, at times, lead to incorrect (or false) negative test results. Another limitation is the human bias linked to laboratory personnel performing these tests due to the repetition process of pathogen-based tests in order to increase sensitivity and specificity [ 91 ].…”

“…Today, omics platforms continue to evolve around host immunodiagnostic, with different molecular host biomarkers being cited as possible candidates for a fast diagnosis in critical illnesses [ 93 ]. Unlike pathogenic-based tests, host immunodiagnostic methods offer the possibility to distinguish between non-contagious immune triggers, including sterile inflammatory cases, autoimmune illnesses, and malignity [ 91 ].…”

Novel Scaffolds Based on Bis-thiazole Connected to Quinoxaline or Thienothiophene through 2-Phenoxy-N-arylacetamide Groups as New Hybrid Molecules: Synthesis, Antibacterial Activity, and Molecular Docking Investigations

“…The problem of bacterial infection management cannot be dismissed simply by discussing the diseases caused, the bacteria involved, and the benefits and drawbacks of the various antibacterial agents now available, especially since the latter still have certain definite shortcomings. A deeper knowledge of how humans fight and harbor germs, as well as some of the mechanisms by which bacteria create negative consequences, can help with the management of more complex and resistant bacterial illnesses . Extensive research has been carried out over the years in the hunt for effective and safe antimicrobial drugs based on heterocyclic scaffolds, particularly to combat the ever-increasing microbial resistance and to minimize the high late-stage attrition rate in the drug development process.…”

Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of pulmonary functional sequelae in ARDS- secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection

“…In particular, whole-blood transcriptomic analysis has gained importance in clinical research [3] . It is performed in highly accessible and homogeneous samples, avoiding the bias caused by tissue sampling, provides a comprehensive picture of the host response to pathological insults and offers information on the transcriptional programs activated in bodily tissues [4] , [5] . Currently, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is considered the gold standard among transcriptome profiling tools [6] .…”