PMC

Schematic review of activities and procedures in the classical microbiology laboratory (green box). Essential pre-analytical and preparatory steps are given in light blue. Molecular technological innovation is indicated by the grey insertions in the green box, whereas the yellow box identifies host rather than infectious agent testing. The striped box in the middle relates to the recent but central position of novel technologies in the improvement of both host and agent specific testing which in the end should lead to personalization of infectious disease detection and treatment. Finally in dark blue: the central patient-oriented paradigm in the current evolution of microbial diagnostic services.