US Pharm. 2013;38(10):6.
Durham, NC—Researchers at Duke University have developed a blood test that can determine whether respiratory illness is caused by a bacterial infection or a virus, with over 90% accuracy. The test takes about 12 hours to get results. Current methods take several days to distinguish the cause, and they are not always accurate. The new test utilizes a genetic signature that the immune system gives off when being attacked by either bacteria or viruses. Researchers indicate that the test has the potential to be extremely beneficial because it can help with diagnosis and prevent physicians from giving unnecessary antibiotics.
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