Purpose of microbiological testing

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by Doctor Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang - Laboratory Department - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Molecular bioassays are of decisive significance in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. However, this method does not perform antibiogram. To evaluate the results of immunoassays must be based on the pathogenesis of each microorganism.

1. What is an infection (also known as a bacterial infection)?

Infection is the entry and multiplication of microorganisms in/on the host (pathogenic or non-pathogenic).
Microorganisms and living organisms are extremely small in size that cannot be seen with the naked eye. To observe, they must use microscopes with high magnification. Microorganisms are the causative agents of infections and infectious diseases. Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Infection is an infection caused by a microorganism in which there is damage to the functions or structures of the host organism (human or animal), manifested by signs and symptoms.
Every year in the US about 125,000 people die from infections. This is the fourth leading cause after cardiovascular diseases (650,000), cerebrovascular diseases (389,000), cancer (370,000); much higher than accident (100,000), cirrhosis (31,000) and suicide (25,000).
Vietnam is a tropical country, with a favorable environment and climate for microorganisms to grow, so infections are common and diverse.

2. What is Microbiological Testing?

Microbiology test is a collection of analytical tests, diagnose the cause of infection and infection, including determining the cause (microorganism that causes disease) or the effect (the body's immune response). host), which aids in the diagnosis and treatment of infections.
Microbiology tests are divided into 2 large groups, direct tests and indirect tests, which can be divided into 4 methods:
Direct microscopy tests Culture tests Immunoassays Stool biology tests death

3. Meaning of each Microbiological test

Each type of test has its own meaning.
3.1. Direct smear test This is a simple, easy-to-implement, and fast method with results, including:
Making smears from patient samples to look for bacteria and fungi based on their shape, color-catching properties, and size size and arrangement; assessment of cell types. Make fresh microscopic slides from patient samples to look for parasites, some types of bacteria, fungi based on shape, motility.

The results of the direct endoscopy tests are often only of preliminary diagnostic value and guide the next steps of testing. Only in some cases, when the microorganism has a special morphology, can the diagnosis be confirmed.
3.2. Test for culture, isolation, identification of microorganisms This test is intended to accurately identify pathogenic microorganisms from specimens taken from infected sites on the body.
After culturing, isolating and identifying pathogens, strains of pathogenic microorganisms will be collected from infection sites to conduct antibiotic mapping. Antibiogram results will show whether pathogenic microorganisms are sensitive or resistant to each antibiotic, thereby helping clinicians choose the right antibiotic for treatment.
Therefore, test results for culture, isolation and identification of pathogenic microorganisms are being considered as the gold standard in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

3.3. Molecular biology tests Are high-tech tests that detect specific genes of microorganisms, helping to quickly diagnose infections and shorten waiting time for results.
Molecular bioassay has positive significance in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. However, this method does not perform antibiogram.
3.4. Immunoassays Detection of microbial antigens or antibodies in patient serum is based on antibodies – known pre-antigens. To evaluate the results of immunoassays must be based on the pathogenesis of each microorganism.
Vinmec International General Hospital provides a full range of Microbiology tests from basic (direct endoscopic staining) to advanced (molecular biology techniques, especially multi-agent tests - with at the same time can detect many microorganisms from the specimen) to help diagnose the disease quickly and accurately. Here, all tests are always quality assured according to ISO 15189.

Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.
MORE:
Commonly used molecular biology tests Common types of immunoassays What is a microbiological test?