Laboratory Diagnosis of Human Bacterial Diseases

Bacterial diseases include any type of illness caused by bacteria. Bacteria are a type of microorganism which are tiny forms of life that can only be seen with a microscope.Bacteria cause disease by secreting or excreting toxins (as in botulism) by producing toxins internally which are released when the bacteria disintegrate (as in typhoid) or by inducing sensitivity to their antigenic properties (as in tuberculosis). Bacterial diseases range from minor skin infection to bubonic plague and tuberculosis. Early diagnosis of infectious diseases plays a crucial role in all treatment and prevention strategies. Bacterial cultures with antibiotic sensitivity determination and other tests are used to laboratory diagnose of bacterial diseases and help in determination of the appropriate treatment.