For some well-known pathogens like influenza or RSV, diagnostic and epidemiological data is available and continuously complement each other. For most other pathogens however, data is not always available or severely delayed. Furthermore, clinical data is needed to assess the burden of disease, which will enhance awareness and help to gain knowledge on emerging pathogens. In this position paper, we discuss the interdependence of diagnostics and epidemiology from a European perspective. In 2004, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) was founded to coordinate European wide surveillance and control. At present however, the ECDC still relies on university hospitals, public health institutions and other diagnostic institutions. Close collaboration between all stakeholders across Europe is therefore complex, but necessary to optimize the system for the individual patient. From the diagnostic side, data on detected pathogens should be shared with relevant health institutions in real-time. From the public health side, collected information should be made accessible for diagnostic and clinical institutions in real-time. Subsequently, this information needs to be disseminated across relevant medical disciplines to reach its full potential.

对于某些众所周知的病原体，例如流感或RSV，可获得诊断和流行病学数据，并且会不断地相互补充。但是，对于大多数其他病原体，数据并不总是可用或严重延迟。此外，需要临床数据来评估疾病负担，这将提高认识并帮助获得有关新兴病原体的知识。在本立场文件中，我们从欧洲的角度讨论了诊断学和流行病学的相互依存关系。2004年，欧洲疾病预防和控制中心（ECDC）成立，以协调欧洲范围内的监视和控制。但是，目前，ECDC仍然依靠大学医院，公共卫生机构和其他诊断机构。因此，欧洲所有利益相关者之间的紧密合作非常复杂，但是有必要针对个别患者优化系统。从诊断的角度来看，应与相关的卫生机构实时共享有关检测到的病原体的数据。从公共卫生方面来说，应该使收集到的信息可供诊断和临床机构实时访问。随后，需要在相关医学学科之间传播此信息，以充分发挥其潜力。