Abstract

Diagnosis of infectious diseases requires a composite of information including history, physical examination, radiographic findings and haematology, pathology, biochemistry and microbiology laboratories data. Laboratory is certainly necessary for definite diagnosis of the infectious diseases with atypical course. The most important results at the diagnosis are obtained from microbiology laboratories that make examinations aimed to the agent directly. Microbiological analyses are performed on the biological samples derived from the human body carrying infectious agents or their products. To obtain reliable microbiological results, those specimens to be collected and sent to the laboratories properly and a good clinician/laboratory relationship are essential. The most important responsibility about that subject belongs to the physician. The required information relating to the subject that interests nearly all clinicians is summarized in this article.