ABSTRACT
Computerization of the microbiology laboratory has permitted the clinician to follow trends in hospital epidemiology and antibiotic sensitivity. Lower concentrations are diagnostic in instances of fungal infection or specimens submitted from nephrostomy or bladder aspirates. Liver biopsy may also be helpful in the evaluation of other granulomatous infections such as brucellosis, cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis. The Weil-Felix test is included among “febrile agglutinins” for historical reasons, and is rarely helpful in evaluation of patients with obscure fever. Evaluation of infection by “atypical” mycobacteria is best performed with species-specific antigens. Infection may produce either elevation or reduction in the total white blood cell count as well as the relative percentage of each of the leukocyte subsets. A wide variety of skin tests are available for the diagnosis of viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infection. Such tests may also be used in epidemiologic surveys, allergy testing, confirmation of prior vaccination, and the evaluation of the anergic patient.
