RT Book, Section A1 Ryan, Kenneth J. SR Print(0) ID 1148670319 T1 Principles of Laboratory Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases T2 Sherris Medical Microbiology, 7e YR 2017 FD 2017 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259859809 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1148670319 RD 2024/03/29 AB The diagnosis of a microbial infection begins with an assessment of clinical and epidemiologic features, leading to the formulation of a diagnostic hypothesis. Anatomic localization of the infection with the aid of physical and radiologic findings (eg, right lower lobe pneumonia, subphrenic abscess) is usually included. This clinical diagnosis suggests a number of possible etiologic agents based on knowledge of infectious syndromes and their courses. The specific cause or etiologic diagnosis is then established by the application of methods described in this chapter. A combination of science and art on the part of both the clinician and laboratory worker is required: The clinician must select the appropriate tests and specimens to be processed and, where appropriate, suggest the suspected etiologic agents to the laboratory. The laboratory scientist must use the methods that will demonstrate the probable agents, and be prepared to explore other possibilities suggested by the clinical situation or by the findings of the laboratory examinations. The best results are obtained when communication between the clinician and laboratory is maximal.