Chapter 17
Diagnosing Infections
How to identify the disease
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Direct testing (microscopic, immunological, genetic methods)
- Time required : from few minutes…
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Cultivation of microorganisms
- time required: few days to few weeks
(Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
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Based on symptoms (athlete’s foot)
How to identify unknown bacteria
Phenotypic methods
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Macroscopic morphology
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Microscopic morphology
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Physiological/Biochemical Characteristics
Genotypic methods
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Culturing not necessary
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Results obtained quickly
Immunological methods
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Looking for the specific antibody in patient’s blood
Specimen Collection
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Can be collected by a member of a clinical team or by a patient
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Aseptic procedures should be followed
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Avoid taking samples of normal biota (e.g. saliva when taking throat swab)
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Samples should be promptly transported to the lab.
Immediate Direct examination of specimen
Direct microscopic observation
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Fresh
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Stained (gram staining, acid fast staining)
Direct fluorescence antibody test
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- Fall '08
- GANTAR
- Bacteria, specific antibody, complement fixation test, fluorescence antibody test, quickly Immunological methods
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