Molecular Diagnostics in Clinical Microbiology
نویسنده
چکیده
In the daily routine of a clinical microbiological laboratory, pathogens can be detected in several ways. Diagnostics of infectious diseases require a strategic approach, since the etiological agent can be of bacterial, viral, fungal or protozoan origin, frequently sharing an identical syndrome. A complicating factor is that the clinical sample, sent to the laboratory, can be severely contaminated with commensal flora. Moreover, the transport of patient sample to the laboratory and the sample itself can significantly influence the viability of the pathogen (e.g. anaerobes or viruses) and consequently the outcome of the culture. Strict logistic agreements are of fundamental importance. It has been demonstrated that experience and assessment of clinical parameters by the treating medical practitioner will determine the choice of the clinical microbiological procedure. This does not always hold true. Significantly, microbial diagnostics of clinical samples will be performed by microscopy and culture techniques. An additional issue is the non-cultureable and fastidious micro-organisms. Indirect detection of the causative agent such as serology would be possible solutions. This approach may demonstrate pathogen-specific antibodies in the patient’s serum. However, a convalescent serum sample (taken two weeks after the 1st sample in the acute phase of the infection) is needed in order to obtain a reliable result. Conventional microbiology is an inexpensive but protracted diagnostic method. Interpretation of the culture results requires technical skill. Rapid * Corresponding Author: Willem B. van Leeuwen. Ph. D. Address: Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases.Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands Tel: + 31 10 703 3668 Email:[email protected] Review Article
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