Microbiologic Examination Culture: Isolation of infectious agents frequently requires specialized media Nonselective(noninhibitory) media permit the growth of many microorganisms Selective media contain inhibitory substances that permit the isolation of specific types of microorganisms Microbial Identification: Colony and cellular morphology may permit preliminary identification Growth characteristics under various conditions utilization of carbohydrates and other substrates, enzymatic activity, immunoassays, and genetic probes are also used Antimicrobial Susceptibility: Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, are tested in vitro to determine whether they are susceptible to antimicrobial agents Serodiagnosis: A high or rising titer of specific IgG antibodies or the presence of specific IgM antibodies may suggest or confirm a diagnosis 1 Direct Examination and Techniques: Direct examination of specimens reveals gross pathology. Microscopy may identify microorganisms. Immunofluorescence immuno-peroxidase staining, and other immunoassays may detect specific microbial antigens. Genetic probes identify genus-or species-specific DNA or RNA sequencesMicrobiologic Examination Culture:Isolation of infectious agents frequently requires specialized media. Nonselective (noninhibitory) media permit the growth of many microorganisms. Selective media contain inhibitory substances that permit the isolation of specific types of microorganisms. Microbial Identification: Colony and cellular morphology may permit preliminary identification. Growth characteristics under various conditions, utilization of carbohydrates and other substrates, enzymatic activity, immunoassays, and genetic probes are also used. Antimicrobial Susceptibility: Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, are tested in vitro to determine whether they are susceptible to antimicrobial agents. Serodiagnosis:A high or rising titer of specific IgG antibodies or the presence of specific IgM antibodies may suggest or confirm a diagnosis. Direct Examination and Techniques: Direct examination of specimens reveals gross pathology. Microscopy may identify microorganisms. Immunofluorescence, immuno-peroxidase staining, and other immunoassays may detect specific microbial antigens. Genetic probes identify genus- or species-specific DNA or RNA sequences