Update in infections diseases. Part II: Diagnosis and therapy

In this article, relevant recent changes in the diagnosis and therapy of in fectious diseases are reviewed. Several new diagnostic tools for the quantification of viral DNA and RNA ha ve been developed in the last years (PCR-based and related methods). A numb er of new antiviral agents has been licensed for the treatment of different viral infections. The clinical management of viral infections has dramatic ally changed with these tools and agents. Especially morbidity and mortalit y of HIV-invected patients have both been reduced by antiretroviral combina tion therapy. With rising rates of antibiotic resistance in gram-positive b acteria therapy of infections with these agents has become increasingly dif ficult. A number of new antibiotic agents for the treatment of these infections hav e been developed and licensed.