Organisms either present in very low numbers or possess a characteristically slow growth rate may require an extended incubation before being detected in culture. Amplification and/or detection of unique DNA or RNA sequences provides more timely identification. This is true whether they are applied to the specimen for direct detection or, in some cases, to culture-positive specimens for culture confirmation (identification).
Even for organisms that are easy to recover and identify (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus), various molecular methods offer the ability for either direct detection in clinical material or more rapid identification that would greatly aid in treatment and clinical management decisions.
Note: Culture may still require an antibiotic susceptibility test report.
