Laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases — pitfalls and prospects

Abstract

This is the first in a series of articles from the Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology–Public Health (CIDM-PH) describing the clinical and microbial epidemiology of communicable diseases; and new developments in the identification and typing of pathogens of public health importance. The CIDMPH is a research group based at Westmead Hospital that is closely allied to clinical and laboratory service divisions of CIDM and the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR). Part one of this article provides an overview of current laboratory diagnostic methods, and part two illustrates how these tests are applied in practice. A glossary of terms is included to assist readers.