Given the limitations of traditional culture methods, alternative approaches must be used to detect non-culturable pathogens:
1. Molecular Techniques: Methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) are often employed to detect the genetic material of these pathogens. 2. Serological Tests: These tests can detect antibodies or antigens in a patient's blood, providing evidence of infection even if the pathogen cannot be cultured. 3. Metagenomics: This is a powerful tool for studying the genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples, allowing for the identification of pathogens that cannot be cultured.
