ABSTRACT
This chapter does not describe various types of microscopes, microscopic techniques, and the care of microscopes. Neither does it cover principles and techniques of staining and the use of stains in anatomic pathology. Rather, we try to highlight the continuing importance of microscopy in diagnostic microbiology and the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques and stains. The aim is to help the clinical microbiologist to evaluate a specimen and arrive at a correct bacterial identification.
