Veterinary Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnosis-II

INTRODUCTION

• Diagnostic microbiology is receiving increased emphasis as it has great value in diagnosis of animal infections.  
• The chief functions of diagnostic microbiology is concerned with
  • Etiologic diagnosis of infectious diseases by isolation and identification of infectious agents
  • Demonstration of immunologic response
  • Rational selection of antimicrobial agents for chaemotherapy.
  • Microbiological data are valuable in providing epidemiological information for determining common source of infection .
• The result of microbiologic diagnostic test depend on
  • nature of specimen,
  • the care with which it is collected,
  • the timing of the collection
  • technical proficiency of the individual performing the test.

Basic concepts of proper specimen collection

• The proper collection of a specimen for laboratory examination is most important step in the recovery of microorganisms responsible for infectious disease
  • The sample should be representative of the infectious process.
  • Collection must be with a minimum of contamination from adjacent tissues, organ or secretions.
  • Specimen should be collected at optimum time for the best recovery of microorganisms. Hence the knowledge on history, and patho physiology of disease is important.
  • A sufficient quantity of materials to be collected to perform various diagnostic tests.
  • Specimen must be collected prior to administration of antimicrobial therapy.
  • Appropriate collection devices, specimen containers must be used for optimal recovery of microorganisms.
  • The specimen must be properly labeled with name, source, date and time of collection, brief history of diseases and clinical tentative diagnosis.
  • After collection, specimen should be transported to laboratory for examination, if not possible it should be refrigerated immediately.