Statistical adjustment of culture-independent diagnostic tests for trend analysis in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), USA | International Journal of Epidemiology | Oxford Academic

Statistical adjustment of culture-independent diagnostic tests for trend analysis in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), USA | International Journal of Epidemiology | Oxford Academic

CDC Offers Way to Adjust For Rapid Diagnostic Tests in Surveillance Trends

CDC has identified a way to account for changes in Campylobacter diagnostic tests and adjust surveillance trends accordingly. The method is described in a recent International Journal of Epidemiology article on Campylobacter infection reported in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet).

Campylobacter is the most common bacterial diarrheal infection in the United States, causing an estimated 1.3 million illnesses every year. Culture-independent diagnostic tests, rather than culture-based methods, are increasingly used to diagnose Campylobacter infection.

Because these rapid tests perform differently than historic culture-based diagnosis, epidemiologists need to account for these differences to accurately monitor incidence trends.