Molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases

Molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases, edited by Harald Kessler and published by De Gruyter in 2010, was developed to address the rapidly evolving field of clinical microbiology at the turn of the decade. As molecular techniques like polymerase chain reaction and nucleic acid amplification began to shift from specialized research laboratories to routine diagnostic settings, there was an urgent need for a comprehensive text that bridged the gap between basic molecular biology and bedside clinical application.

The volume was designed as a reference for clinical virologists, infectious disease specialists, and laboratory professionals, focusing on the diagnostic challenges posed by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. Under Kessler's editorial direction, the work synthesized contributions from international experts who sought to standardize protocols and provide a critical evaluation of existing diagnostic assays. Upon its release, it was regarded as a technically rigorous resource that supported the modernization of diagnostic workflows during a critical transition period in medical science.