Newer methods for microbiologic diagnosis of pediatric infections.

There are several advantages in making a specific diagnosis of an infectious disease. In addition to better patient care with appropriate therapy, once the diagnosis is established considerable financial expense is spared and preventive measures can be initiated. The microbiology laboratory is vital in the isolation and identification of organisms. It is also possible by finding an antigen, metabolic product or nucleic acid unique to that specific organism that a diagnosis can be made and susceptibility testing can also be performed.