Key Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the impact of culture independent diagnostic testing on laboratory and epidemiology surveillance systems.
- Understand the value of syndrome panels for identifying co-detections.
- Apply the experience of Tennessee with CIDTs to assist in their jurisdictions.
- Understand the implications of improper data reporting from CIDT.
- Summarize the resources available to assist with CIDT.
Brief Summary:
Culture Independent Diagnostic Tests, most recently syndrome panels, have had an impact on both public health laboratory and epidemiology surveillance systems. This new technology has offered diagnostic opportunities never before available, but at a cost to public health surveillance. In this roundtable, the impact of CIDTs will be discussed from both the laboratory and epidemiology perspectives. Study data will be presented for discussion from three years of CIDT experience in Tennessee. Additionally, a pilot study will be discussed where the retrospective syndrome testing of specimens resulted in the identification of co-detected pathogens. From the epidemiology perspective, errors involving interpretation of syndrome panels and entry in surveillance databases have led to educational opportunities with clinical facilities. The impact of CIDT testing on larger trend data will be brought up for discussion. Speakers will discuss resources that are available and ongoing that assist with CIDT issues. This is intended to be an interactive session and time will be allotted for discussion and questions.