The Practice of Basic Principles in Routine Diagnostic Bacteriology for Better Diagnostic Value: A Review"

Abstract

 The routine medical bacteriology laboratory is saddled with the responsibility of diagnosing the etiological agents of diseases that afflict humans. The ability to control such bacterial infections is largely dependent on the ability to detect the etiological agents and to reliably identify organisms of clinical significance in a cost effective and timely manner. Such services to the hospital patients are usually urgently required by the clinician for the benefit of the end receiver; the patient. Quick as the results may be so desired, basic principles and standard operational procedures still need to be followed without sacrificing efficiency and correct diagnosis at the altar of speed. The bacteriologist needs to adhere strictly to aseptic techniques while carrying out his diagnostic procedures. The benefits of newer diagnostic techniques such as sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, notwithstanding, the bacteriologist still need to view a Gram-stained smear of the specimen microscopically, culture the clinical specimens for purposes of isolating the causative agent of infection, as well as determine the antibacterial susceptibility pattern, without which antibiotic therapy cannot be effectively instituted. These procedures, carefully controlled, have their indispensible value in routine diagnostic bacteriology. Although the newer technologies are reported to be reliable and rapid, users must be mindful of the common cliché, “garbage – in – garbage – out”! In addition, newer technologies are however not readily within the economic reach of most health facilities the world over. This review highlights some important and indispensible principles required by the practicing bacteriologist for effective identification and diagnosis of bacterial infections