GI Pathogen Detection: Diagnostic Approaches and Clinical Applications

Gastrointestinal (GI) infections are among the most common infectious diseases worldwide and represent an important cause of acute illness, healthcare utilization, and morbidity across diverse patient populations. GI infections may be caused by a wide range of bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens, with clinical manifestations that can overlap substantially. Traditional diagnostic approaches, including culture, microscopy, and antigen-based methods, may be limited by lengthy turnaround times, variable sensitivity, or the need for pathogen-specific testing. The introduction of molecular diagnostic methods, including multiplex nucleic acid amplification assays, has expanded the range and speed of pathogen detection available to clinicians and laboratories.The goal of this Research Topic is to address the ongoing challenges in the diagnosis and clinical management of gastrointestinal infections by examining advances in GI pathogen detection/quantification and their impact on patient care. Despite the availability of progressively more sensitive and comprehensive diagnostic technologies, challenges remain in selecting appropriate tests, interpreting positive results, distinguishing clinically significant infection from colonization, asymptomatic carriage or incidental detection, and translating laboratory findings into appropriate clinical decisions. This collection aims to bring together researchers and clinicians to share findings that clarify how emerging diagnostic tools can be applied responsibly and effectively in clinical practice.We welcome papers addressing the following themes, including but not limited to:-Molecular and multiplex nucleic acid amplification approaches to GI pathogen detection.-Comparative performance of culture, microscopy, antigen-based, and molecular diagnostic methods.-Strategies for distinguishing clinically significant infection from colonization or asymptomatic carriage.-Interpretation of positive results and incidental pathogen detection in clinical decision-making.-Detection and quantification of multiple co-occurring GI pathogens.-Identification of antimicrobial resistance in gastrointestinal pathogens.-Appropriate test selection and utilization across diverse patient populations and care settings.-Impact of turnaround time and diagnostic accuracy on patient management and outcomes.-Clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of rapid pathogen identification technologies.-Evolving technologies and their role in improving diagnostic pathways for GI infections.This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of GI pathogen detection and support the development of diagnostic strategies that translate more directly into improved clinical decision-making and patient care. Topic editors: Sherry Dunbar, Jie Liu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85049/gi-pathogen-detection-diagnostic-approaches-and-clinical-applications