ABSTRACT
The isolation of pathogens is not molecular based but rather relies on the recovery of the whole live and replication-competent microorganism(s) associated with a specific disease. Conventionally, pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. While molecular tools (see Chapter 7) have revolutionized the way a diagnostician can identify a specific pathogen, there is still a need to isolate pathogens. Pathogens (and their antigens) are still a very important component of many serodiagnostic assays (see Chapter 8). Determining the most important antimicrobial drug to use in bacterial infections is best done when the organism has been isolated. For the most part, fungi are best identified with an isolate rather than making an identification in tissue section. Even when isolated, there are relatively few mycologists who have experience with identification of fungi from reptiles. In this chapter, techniques used in isolating various pathogens in reptiles will be reviewed.
