Advances in Lab Practice

Question 1

If physician suspects infection, what samples of tissue

or fluid can be collected?

Answer 1

Urine
Blood
Faeces
Pus
Sputum cerebrospinal fluid

(Specific tests will be requested according to case clinical history)

Question 2

What are the traditional methods of diagnosis in microbiology?

Answer 2

Microscopy
Culture
Identification: morphology, biochemical tests, serogrouping, phage typing, etc
Serology: host antibodies, pathogen antigens
Antimicrobial susceptibility

Question 3

What are the advantages of traditional methods of diagnosis in microbiology?

Answer 3

Catch-all, diagnose mixed infections
Established methods and sensitivity determined (HPA standard methods)
Living organisms can be recovered and pure culture for further tests
Can quantify viable organisms in sample (cfu/ml)

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of traditional methods of diagnosis in microbiology?

Answer 4

Many labour-intensive/ limited automation
Perceived as expensive and slow
A ‘skilled’ activity – operator dependent
Results may not have a definite identification
Some organisms are difficult to culture

Question 5

What rapid methods of diagnosis can be used in microbiology?

Answer 5

Automated tests`
Molecular tests
Mass spectrometry: MALDI-TOF