New Guide to Help Physicians Select Most Relevant Diagnostic Tests for Infectious Diseases

A new comprehensive guide intended to serve as a reference for physicians in choosing laboratory tests that will aid them to diagnose infectious diseases in their patients is now available for downloading at no cost from the Internet.

The 100-page Adobe Acrobat Reader-compatible document was developed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Arlington, VA, USA) and the American Society for Microbiology (Washington DC, USA), and incorporates input from both laboratory and clinical experts.

The "Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 2013 Recommendations by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM)" provides information on which tests are valuable and in which contexts, and on tests that add little or no value for diagnostic decisions. Sections of the guide are divided into anatomic systems, including bloodstream infections and infections of the cardiovascular system, central nervous system infections, ocular infections, soft tissue infections of the head and neck, upper respiratory infections, lower respiratory tract infections, infections of the gastrointestinal tract, intra-abdominal infections, bone and joint infections, urinary tract infections, genital infections, and skin and soft tissue infections; or into etiologic agent groups, including tickborne infections, viral syndromes, and blood and tissue parasite infections.

Each section of the guide contains introductory concepts, a summary of key points, and detailed tables that list suspected agents; the most reliable tests to order; the samples (and volumes) to collect in order of preference; specimen transport devices, procedures, times, and temperatures; and detailed notes on specific issues regarding the test methods, such as when tests are likely to require a specialized laboratory or have prolonged turnaround times.

"Getting the right diagnosis is contingent upon laboratory results that are accurate and clinically relevant," said contributing author Dr. Ellen Jo Baron, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA, USA). "Physicians, their staff and microbiologists must communicate and work together to ensure the best outcome for patients, and this guide aims to help facilitate this collaboration."

The guide was published in the July 10, 2013, online edition of the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Related Links:
Downloadable Guide
Infectious Diseases Society of America
American Society for Microbiology