Event

This session will provide attendees with a cutting edge review of novel diagnostic technologies that can be used to facilitate rapid and accurate identification and characterization of the etiology of acute pneumonia. Individual speakers will 1) describe the scientific basis of the latest molecular tests for rapid identification of viral and bacterial pathogens and review the use of automated functional approaches for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing; 2) provide a perspective from the clinical microbiology laboratory on the advantages and challenges of implementing and integrating these new and emerging methodologies into clinical practice; and 3) assess the clinical utility of the approved molecular techniques for rapid identification of viral and bacterial pathogens that cause community-acquired pneumonia.