Point-of-Care Microbiology Labs: Bringing Rapid PCR Diagnostics Closer to Patients
This review describes the operational model of point-of-care microbiology laboratories that combine immunochromatography and real-time PCR into syndrome-based kits, delivering diagnoses within two hours around the clock. These labs extend clinical microbiology testing to remote populations in both developing and developed countries, with demonstrated cost-effectiveness for tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections. The paper outlines how internet connectivity enables quality support from core reference laboratories.
The original study
The Point-of-Care Laboratory in Clinical Microbiology.
- Authors
- Drancourt M, Michel-Lepage A, Boyer S, Raoult D
- Journal
- Clinical microbiology reviews
- Type
- Journal Article, Review
- PMID
- 27029593
Original abstract
Point-of-care (POC) laboratories that deliver rapid diagnoses of infectious diseases were invented to balance the centralization of core laboratories. POC laboratories operate 24 h a day and 7 days a week to provide diagnoses within 2 h, largely based on immunochromatography and real-time PCR tests. In our experience, these tests are conveniently combined into syndrome-based kits that facilitate sampling, including self-sampling and test operations, as POC laboratories can be operated by trained operators who are not necessarily biologists. POC laboratories are a way of easily providing clinical microbiology testing for populations distant from laboratories in developing and developed countries and on ships. Modern Internet connections enable support from core laboratories. The cost-effectiveness of POC laboratories has been established for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections in both developed and developing countries.