Utility of rapid microbiological techniques for the diagnosis of severe infections.

Rapid diagnostic microbiological techniques and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are necessary for early and adequate treatment. The utility of old (Gram stain, antigen detection, direct antimicrobial susceptibility testing, chromogenic media) and new techniques (molecular assays, MALDI-TOF) is summarized for the rapid diagnosis of bacteraemia and fungaemia, catheter-related bloodstream infections, pneumonia, meningitis, skin and soft-tissue infections, urinary tract infection, Clostridium difficile infection, viral infections, and tuberculosis.