TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Diagnostic Approaches for Infectious Diseases A1 - Palavecino, Elizabeth L. A2 - Kline, Mark W. PY - 2018 T2 - Rudolph's Pediatrics, 23e AB - Although not all infectious diseases require diagnostic laboratory testing, clinicians often rely on laboratory tests to help identify a causative agent, select an appropriate antimicrobial agent, and/or assess response to therapy. Children are more susceptible than adults to certain infections such as viral respiratory infections, streptococcal pharyngitis, and otitis media. The variety of potential pathogens and difficulties in collection of specimens create diagnostic challenges that are specific to children. Ordering the right test at the right time is paramount for laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases and for preventing false-positive and false-negative results. Therefore, it is important that clinicians have a basic understanding of diagnostic microbiology so that they collect the optimal specimen and order the most appropriate test for diagnosing and selecting the most appropriate therapy for the infectious process. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182933610 ER -