PCR Based Detection of Infectious Disease

There is a potential for decreased sensitivity of some of the targets when you multiplex them. Many viruses shed long after the active infectious period is done, particularly common viruses like rhinoviruses. You may miss low viral load infections in the central nervous system on a multiplexed assay. And then in general, I think interpreting a result that really just doesn't fit your patient context is important to take a step back and say, yes, I detected this, but is this truly what this patient looks like smells like sounds like?