PROPER DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTION

Proper Diagnosis of Infection

Requires patient history, physical examination, evaluation of signs and symptoms, and appropriate clinical specimen implementation.

Clinical Specimens

Examples include blood, urine, feces, cerebrospinal fluid, sputum, throat swab, and wound specimens.

Importance of High Quality Specimen

To achieve accurate, clinically relevant laboratory results and provide proper information about the patient's infectious disease.

Components of Specimen Quality

Include proper specimen selection, collection, and transport.

Effects of Improper Collection of Specimen

May result in failure to find the etiologic agent, overgrowth of indigenous flora masking pathogens, or interference by contaminants.

Pathology

The study of the structural and functional manifestations of disease.

Pathologist

A physician with extensive and specialized training in pathology.

Anatomical Pathology

Branch of pathology where pathologists perform autopsies and examine diseased organs and tissue specimens.

Clinical Pathology

Consists of blood bank, clinical microscopy, hematology, and immunology labs.

Specimen for Bacteria

Blood, bone marrow, sputum, CSF, vaginal swab, and others used for bacterial diagnostics.

Specimen for Viruses

Blood, bronchial washes, CSF, throat swabs, and urine among others for viral diagnostics.

Specimen for Fungi

Includes blood, CSF, skin scraping, hair clipping, and sputum for fungal diagnostics.

Specimen for Parasites

Blood, CSF, feces, skin snip, and urogenital secretion used for parasitic diagnostics.