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Laboratory techniques

Article outlining some laboratory techniques used in the detection of NFGNB for accurate diagnosis.

There are different laboratory techniques used in the detection of NFGNB for accurate diagnosis. As our understanding of these bacteria develops, so do the microbiology techniques used in their diagnosis. The infographic below gives some examples of common techniques used.

Common techniques for NFGNB detection and identification: agar plates with differential agar media; MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, using ionisation to identify NFGNB based on their protein components; nanopore sequencing, a form of real time DNA sequencing using nanopores for microbial identification and characterisation

If you require a text version of the above image, this is available as a PDF.

Other techniques include:

Gram staining – this low tech, low cost technique can be used to stained clinical samples, highlighting structural differences between bacteria (gram-positive bacteria remain stained with the crystal violet dye).
Analytical Profile Index – a rapid identification technique used widely until a decade ago. Test strips detect activity of e.g. carbohydrate fermentation enzymes, with results compared to a database (so only known bacteria can be identified).

For more information on these techniques, and techniques not mentioned, follow the links in the see also section below.