1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

2. E tiologic diagnosis of infection begins with the physical examination of the patient, formulation of the clinical diagnosis and in many cases estimation of the epidemiological circumstances. Anatomic localization of the infection and the clinical diagnosis suggest variety of possible etiologic agents. After accurate interpretation of the clinical and epidemiological information, the clinician must select the appropriate specimen, the laboratory tests, and to ensure its adequate transport to the laboratory in order to preserve the viability of the microorganisms.

4. Specimen - General Considerations A properly collected specimen is the first important step in the diagnosis of an infection. The results of diagnostic tests depend on the selection, timing, stage of the patients illness, and method of collection of specimen. Bacteria can be found in different anatomic sites and in different body fluids and tissues during the course of infectious diseases. Only sterile equipment and aseptic precaution can be used to avoid contamination of the samples with normal skin flora or saprophytes (e.g. treatment of the injection site with alcohol and iodine solutions).

6. A properly collected specimen is very important step in the diagnosis of an infection. The results of diagnostic tests depend upon the selection of specimen, methods of collection, aseptic technique, timing, and transport. The specimens are collected from different anatomic sites with or without normal bacterial flora.

13. Dark-field microscope illuminates the object over a dark background and diffracted rays from the specimen make the object visible. Dark-field microscopy is used for observation of unstained, live organisms suspended in liquid, which are too thin to be seen by staining ( T. pallidum, V. cholerae , Leptospira etc . ) . Leptospira spp. in d ark-field microscopy

18. Devices for cultivation of microorganisms from clinical specimens Thermostat for aerobic cultivation СО 2 thermostat for cultivation of microaerophils and tissue cultures Jars for anaerobic and microaerophil atmosphere

19. Ламинарен бокс Biohazard за стерилна работа с тъканни култури и опасни микроорганизми

25. A utomated kits and systems for diagnostic identification of microorganisms Mini API Phoenix BD

33. Direct Immunofluorescence Test for Antigen Detection ( inclusion bodies of Chlamidia, isolated in tissue culture )

38. ELISA for detection of isolated microorganisms or in clinical specimens

41. Хроматографски тестове за доказване антигените на причинителя в клиничния материал ( Actim Influenza A&B : A – H1N1, H3N2 and the avian subtypes H5N3, H7N3, H9N2 and H5N1 and B virus antigen from nasal swab and nasopharyngeal aspirates in 10 min ) ( също за хламидии, грипни вируси и т.н. ) Step 1 : Addition of Step 2: Dipping Step 3: Results extraction buffer

43. Determination of antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria D isc-diffusion method

44. Determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration ( МIC ) Broth Dilution Method Е-тест

49. ELISA for detection of serum antibodies

51. Western blot for detection of serum antibodies – confirmation test for HIV, LB etc.

52. Western blot in LB Western blot in HIV