Point-of-Care Molecular Diagnostics: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

Abstract

: Point-of-care molecular diagnostics (POC-MDx) have transformed infectious disease diagnosis by enabling rapid, accurate pathogen detection at or near the patient care site. Unlike conventional laboratory-based molecular tests, POC molecular platforms provide clinically actionable results within minutes to hours, facilitating timely antimicrobial therapy, improving patient outcomes, and strengthening antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Recent advances in nucleic acid amplification technologies, microfluidics, isothermal amplification, CRISPR-based diagnostics, and portable sequencing platforms have expanded the applications of POC molecular testing across emergency departments, intensive care units, outpatient clinics, and resource-limited settings. Despite these advances, challenges related to cost, quality assurance, interpretation of results, and integration into clinical workflows remain. This review summarizes the current evidence supporting POC molecular diagnostics and explores future innovations that are likely to redefine infectious disease management.