Rapid Diagnostic Methods for Infectious Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Rapid diagnostic methods for infectious diseases are at the forefront of modern healthcare, driven by the urgent need to identify pathogens swiftly and accurately. Traditional culture-based tests, though highly specific, can be time-consuming—requiring days or even weeks to yield definitive results. In contrast, newer rapid diagnostic technologies leverage advances in molecular biology, immunology, and biosensor engineering to significantly reduce detection times often to mere hours or minutes. From polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time nucleic acid amplification tests, to immunochromatographic assays and point-of-care biosensors, these methods perform the more rapid identification of pathogens and can even detect specific strains or resistance markers. Such prompt diagnoses are vital in preventing the spread of highly contagious diseases, enabling clinicians to initiate targeted therapies swiftly, and reducing inappropriate antibiotic use—one of the key factors contributing to antibiotic resistance.

Moreover, rapid tests benefit resource-limited settings in which immediate medical interventions can drastically alter patient outcomes. As infectious diseases continue to cause high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide, ongoing research into rapid diagnostic methods remains essential. These innovative approaches not only advance clinical practice but also play a crucial role in public health, helping curb outbreaks and guiding evidence-based treatment decisions.

This Special Issue, entitled “Rapid Diagnostic Methods for Infectious Diseases”, seeks to showcase recent advances and innovations that enable the quicker, more accurate, and more accessible detection of pathogens in clinical and field settings. Rapid and reliable diagnostic tools are critical for initiating timely treatment, preventing the spread of disease, and improving patient outcomes. As infectious diseases evolve and novel pathogens emerge, the development of cutting-edge approaches that are able to diagnose these threats is more important than ever.

We welcome the submission of original research, review articles, and case studies that focus on the design, validation, and application of rapid diagnostic platforms for bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

1. Point-of-Care Testing and Mobile Health: Innovative technologies that allow accurate diagnosis at or near the site of patient care, particularly in resource-limited regions.
2. Molecular and Genomic-Based Detection: Novel methods that employ nucleic acid amplification, next-generation sequencing, CRISPR-based diagnostics, and other molecular approaches.
3. Immunological and Serological Techniques: The development of immunoassays, biosensors, and other rapid antibody/antigen detection methodologies.
4. Biosensor Innovation and Biomarker Discovery: Emerging platforms, biomarkers, and nanotechnologies that enhance the sensitivity and specificity of infectious disease testing.
5. Data-Driven and AI-Assisted Diagnostics: Integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics to support diagnostic accuracy and speed.
6. Translational and Clinical Studies: The implementation and performance evaluation of new diagnostic tools in diverse healthcare settings, including cost-effectiveness and policy implications.

By compiling multidisciplinary research and experiences, this Special Issue aims to foster collaboration among scientists, clinicians, engineers, epidemiologists, and policymakers. Through these contributions, we hope to accelerate the adoption of rapid diagnostic methods that reduce the global prevalence of infectious diseases, saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes for communities worldwide.

Dr. Emmanouil Magiorkinis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. LabMed is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• rapid diagnostic methods
• infectious diseases
• point-of-care testing
• molecular diagnostics
• immunodiagnostics
• antimicrobial resistance
• biosensors
• public health
• clinical microbiology
• emerging pathogens