Identification Of Infectious Agents Research Articles

Pathology and infectious agents of unionid mussels: A primer for pathologists in disease surveillance and investigation of mortality events.

Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of organisms in the world, and more than 30 species have gone extinct in the last century. While habitat alteration and destruction have contributed to the declines, the role of disease in mortality events is unclear. In an effort to involve veterinary pathologists in disease surveillance and the investigation of freshwater mussel mortality events, we provide information on the conservation status of unionids, sample collection and processing techniques, and unique and confounding anatomical and physiological differences. We review the published accounts of pathology and infectious agents described in freshwater mussels including neoplasms, viruses, bacteria, fungi, fungal-like agents, ciliated protists, Aspidogastrea, Digenea, Nematoda, Acari, Diptera, and Odonata. Of the identified infectious agents, a single viral disease, Hyriopsis cumingii plague disease, that occurs only in cultured mussels is known to cause high mortality. Parasites including ciliates, trematodes, nematodes, mites, and insects may decrease host fitness, but are not known to cause mortality. Many of the published reports identify infectious agents at the light or ultrastructural microscopy level with no lesion or molecular characterization. Although metagenomic analyses provide sequence information for infectious agents, studies often fail to link the agents to tissue changes at the light or ultrastructural level or confirm their role in disease. Pathologists can bridge this gap between identification of infectious agents and confirmation of disease, participate in disease surveillance to ensure successful propagation programs necessary to restore decimated populations, and investigate mussel mortality events to document pathology and identify causality.

Unexplained reproductive failure in a Thoroughbred mare with a uterine infection by Arcanobacterium hippocoleae

SummaryEndometritis is recognised as one of the major causes of reproductive failure, specifically infertility and abortions, in mares. Infectious agents are the most common cause of endometritis, mainly bacteria. Here, we describe a case of an unexplained reproductive failure caused by an uncommon bacterium, A. hippocoleae, in a 15‐year‐old Thoroughbred mare with an oscillating reproductive history from Southern Brazil. Strain A. hippocoleae_LBV077/21 was isolated from the mare's uterus swab and identified by MALDI‐TOF (Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation – Time of Flight) and 16 S rDNA sequencing. The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that the strain was susceptible to ampicillin, ceftiofur, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin, penicillin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, tetracycline and vancomycin. Partial 16 S rDNA sequence phylogenetic analysis indicated a well‐supported position of A. hippocoleae_LBV077/21 in an exclusive clade of A. hippocoleae, whilst all other Arcanobacterium species were positioned in a separated clade, highlighting the lower syntenic relationship of the species A. hippocoleae to the other Arcanobacterium species. The present study reaffirms the importance of the isolation and identification of infectious agents in mares in cases of reproductive failure because uncommon agents can impede successful treatment and the improvement of reproductive failures.

Histopathological Analysis of Lung Infections during Pre and Post COVID-19 Eras: Insights from a Four-Year Autopsy Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India

Introduction: Autopsies are routinely useful in establishing the cause and time of death. The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), a pandemic viral infectious disease, has affected many countries worldwide. In developing countries like India, infectious lung pathology has been a significant cause of death even before the COVID-19 era. However, the emergence of COVID-19, there has been an increase in lung infections due to factors such as prolonged hospital stays, assisted ventilation, lung damage, and immune suppression, affecting both morbid patients and survivors. Aim: To describe the histopathological spectrum of infective lesions of lung in autopsy during Pre COVID-19 and COVID-19 era in a tertiary care hospital of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology at Tirunelveli Medical College, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India, between January 2018 and December 2021. Data including age, sex, COVID-19 status, clinical history, histomorphological patterns, and identification of infectious agents, were collected from clinico-pathological and autopsy documents. A total of 627 lung specimens were available, with 41 specimens being autolyzed, leaving 586 specimens for inclusion in the study. Gross morphology and microscopic features were documented, and diagnoses were made based on these findings. Results: The study included a total of 586 specimens, of which 76 (12.9%) were reported as infective pathology. Among these cases, 29 (38.1%) cases were reported in the pre COVID19 period, and 47 (61.9%) were reported during the COVID19 period. Of the 76 cases, 41 (53.95%) were male, and 35 (46.05%) were female. The number of cases reported during the post COVID-19 period (47 cases, 61.84%) was higher than the number reported during the pre COVID-19 period (29 cases, 38.16%). In both periods, the majority of cases (10 cases, 13.1% in the pre COVID-19 period; 13 cases, (17.1%) in the post COVID-19 period) were observed in individuals aged 60 years and above, followed by those in the age group of 50 to 59 years (7 cases, 9.2%). Similarly, in the pre COVID-19 period; 10 cases, 13.2% in the post COVID-19 period). Among the 76 cases, interstitial pneumonia (9 cases, 11.8%) was the most common finding in the pre COVID-19 period, followed by bronchopneumonia (seven cases, 9.2%). In the COVID-19 period, Tuberculosis (TB) was the most common finding (17 cases, 22.4%), followed by pneumonia with consolidation (10 cases, 13.2%). Additionally, the number of cases diagnosed with pulmonary TB during the COVID-19 period (17 cases, 22.4%) was higher than that during the pre COVID-19 period (6 cases, 7.9%). During the post COVID-19 period, there has been a drastic increase in the number of pneumonia cases compared to the pre COVID-19 era, and this increase is statistically significant with a p-value of 0.04. Conclusion: Pneumonia (lobar pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, and bronchopneumonia) is the most common histopathological lung lesion in the present study. Compare to pre COVID-19 era, there is increased number of infective lesions during COVID-19 era. There was a drastic increase in pathological findings of Kochs lesion during COVID-19 era.

Features of Microbiota in Newborns in Critical Condition at Admission to the Intensive Care Unit of a Specialized Hospital

Clarification of etiology and identification of infectious agents in critically ill newborns is a very urgent problem of neonatal resuscitation.The objective. To study the characteristics of microbiota in critically ill newborns at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a specialized hospital.Subjects and Methods. 165 critically ill newborns were examined, and bacteriological tests of blood, feces, and saliva were performed.Results. Positive culture results were obtained in 40 (24%) patients. The most frequent causative agent was S. epidermidis (47.5%). The detection rate of E. faecalis amounted to 15%, S. haemolyticus ‒ 15%, C. albicans – 12.5%, and K. pneumoniae ‒ 10%. Microorganisms were isolated from feces in 70% of cases, from the oral cavity in 62.5%, and from blood in 12.5%. E. faecalis was equally frequent at all three sites (5%).Conclusion. In 76% of patients, no neonatal infectious agent was isolated at admission to ICU of a specialized hospital that is most likely associated with the early administration of antibacterial drugs in the first hours of life of the newborn.

Identification of infectious agents in early marine Chinook and Coho salmon associated with cohort survival

Recent decades have seen an increased appreciation for the role infectious diseases can play in mass mortality events across a diversity of marine taxa. At the same time many Pacific salmon populations have declined in abundance as a result of reduced marine survival. However, few studies have explicitly considered the potential role pathogens could play in these declines. Using a multi-year dataset spanning 59 pathogen taxa in Chinook and Coho salmon sampled along the British Columbia coast, we carried out an exploratory analysis to quantify evidence for associations between pathogen prevalence and cohort survival and between pathogen load and body condition. While a variety of pathogens had moderate to strong negative correlations with body condition or survival for one host species in one season, we found that Tenacibaculum maritimum and Piscine orthoreovirus had consistently negative associations with body condition in both host species and seasons and were negatively associated with survival for Chinook salmon collected in the fall and winter. Our analyses, which offer the most comprehensive examination of associations between pathogen prevalence and Pacific salmon survival to date, suggest that pathogens in Pacific salmon warrant further attention, especially those whose distribution and abundance may be influenced by anthropogenic stressors.

Lésions infectieuses génitales

External genital infections are multiple, possibly linked to viral, bacterial, mycosic, or parasitic infections. Viral and bacterial infections often integrate within the framework of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD/STI) and can be associated with a context of immunosuppression. Skin or mucosae damage is often isolated. Their diagnosis is often referred to clinically, and confirmed by local samples without the need for biopsy. Histological examination is indicated in unusual clinical cases or in cases of persistent lesions or atypical appearance or pseudotumoral, posing a challenge for clinical differential diagnosis. In these cases, the morphological analysis can be supplemented by special colorations, immunological techniques or even molecular analysis allowing in some cases the detection and identification of infectious agents. This chapter will integrate external genital infections of viral, bacterial and parasitic origin where histological analysis is the diagnostic element of orientation.

An Overview of Epidemiology and Diagnostic Techniques for Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Infections

In the past decades, the prevalence of emerging viral infections has escalated and is envisaged to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. More than 17 million people die every year from infectious diseases. The most deadly diseases known to humans so far are caused by emerging and re-emerging viruses such as Influenza, Chikungunya, Ebola, HIV, and the Coronavirus disease 19 outbreak, being the most recent. The clinical prognosis of serious illnesses depends on identification of the infectious agent at the onset. This review outlines the epidemiology and diagnostic techniques used to identify viral pathogens that received particular attention in the recent years. The modern diagnostic tools that are used for identification and confirmation of these disease causing agents such as viral antigen identification, viral culture, nucleic acid analysis, and serology are discussed. While rapid identification of infectious agents, quick diagnosis, and the production of vaccines against a specific virus is possible with advanced laboratory techniques, the limited resources delay the implementation of these techniques. The present need is to understand the importance of early and proper implementation of technological advancements for mitigation of damage caused by infective agents, and the introduction of some novel and appropriate approaches on priority basis in endemic and emerging areas.

Direct DNA Sequencing-Based Analysis of Microbiota Associated with Hematological Malignancies in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Bloodstream infections (BSI) among patients with hematological malignancies (HM) could predispose them to higher morbidity and mortality for various underlying conditions. Several microorganisms, either pathogenic or opportunistic normal human flora, could cause severe bacteremia and septicemia. While conventional methods have their own limitations, molecular methods such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) can detect these blood infections with more reliability, specificity, and sensitivity, in addition to information on microbial population landscape. Methodology. Blood samples from HM patients (n = 50) and volunteer blood donor control individuals with no HM (n = 50) were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplification using standard PCR protocols. A metagenomic library was prepared, and NGS was run on a MiSeq (Illumina) sequencer. Sequence reads were analyzed using MiSeq Reporter, and microbial taxa were aligned using the Green Genes library. Results 82% of the patients showed BSI with Gram-negative bacteria as the most predominant group. E. coli comprised a major chunk of the bacterial population (19.51%), followed by K. pneumoniae (17.07%). The CoNS and Viridans Streptococci groups are 17.07% and 14.63%, respectively. Other major species were S. aureus (9.75%), P. aeruginosa (7.31%), A. baumannii (4.87%), E. cloacae (4.87%), and P. mirabilis (4.87%). 34.14% of the cases among patients showed a Gram-positive infection, while 14.63% showed polymicrobial infections. Conclusion Most of the BSI in patients were characterized by polymicrobial infections, unlike the control samples. Molecular methods like NGS showed robust, fast, and specific identification of infectious agents in BSI in HM, indicating the possibility of its application in routine follow-up of such patients for infections.

Histopathologic Detection and Identification of Infectious Agents in Granulomatous Inflammation: Comparison with Culture

Histopathologic Detection and Identification of Infectious Agents in Granulomatous Inflammation: Comparison with Culture

BAL fluid analysis in the identification of infectious agents in patients with hematological malignancies and pulmonary infiltrates.

The present study aims to evaluate the diagnostic yield of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in patients with hematological malignancies and describe the most common pathogens detected in BAL fluid (BALF.) An analysis of 480 BALF samples was performed in patients with hematological malignancies over a period of 7 years. The results of culture methods, PCR, and immunoenzymatic sandwich microplate assays for Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) in BALF were analyzed. Further, the diagnostic thresholds for Aspergillus GM and Pneumocystis jiroveci were also calculated. Microbiological findings were present in 87% of BALF samples. Possible infectious pathogens were detected in 55% of cases; 32% were classified as colonizing. No significant difference in diagnostic yield or pathogen spectrum was found between non-neutropenic and neutropenic patients. There was one significant difference in BALF findings among intensive care units (ICU) versus non-ICU patients for Aspergillus spp. (22% versus 9%, p = 0.03). The most common pathogens were Aspergillus spp. (n = 86, 33% of BAL with causative pathogens) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 46, 18%); polymicrobial etiology was documented in 20% of cases. A quantitative PCR value of > 1860 cp/mL for Pneumocystis jirovecii was set as a diagnostic threshold for pneumocystis pneumonia. The absorbance index of GM in BALF of 0.5 was set as a diagnostic threshold for aspergillosis. The examination of BAL fluid revealed the presence of pathogen in more than 50% of cases and is, therefore, highly useful in this regard when concerning pulmonary infiltrates.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12223-019-00712-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Transmission Electron Microscopy Improves the Diagnostic Sensitivity in Nonbacterial Etiology of Severe Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study

BackgroundSevere pneumonia is responsible for great mortality and morbidity worldwide, and early-applied effective anti-infective therapy can improve the prognosis of patients. However, identification of infectious agents in severe pneumonia remains a major challenge so far. In this study, the potential utility of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in detecting nonbacterial pathogens in patients with severe pneumonia was retrospectively evaluated.Materials and MethodsA total of 106 patients diagnosed with severe pneumonia at our hospital from September 2015 to December 2017 were included, and their baseline clinical characteristics were collected. Nonbacterial infectious agents detected by TEM in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serological tests were summarized. The detection rates were further compared between TEM and serological tests.ResultsBALF examination under the transmission electron microscope revealed 24 viruses, 16 mycoplasmas, 18 chlamydia, 2 fungi and 74 bacteria in 99 samples, among which 61 samples were mixed infections. The combined use of serological tests and TEM significantly improved the detection rate of nonbacterial infectious agents in patients with severe pneumonia.ConclusionsOur data support that implementation of TEM could improve the sensitivity for detecting viruses, atypical pathogens and mixed infections in BALF from patient of severe pneumonia. Therefore, TEM may be used as an auxiliary diagnostic method of other microbiological tests in severe pneumonia.

Optical Detection of Immune Complexes Using Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles

The possibility of detecting the formation of immune complexes with the use of antibodies labeled with colloidal gold nanoparticles and optical spectroscopy is considered. Changes in the spectral characteristics of sols of gold nanoparticles with diameters of 15, 60, and 90 nm conjugated with immunoglobulins in the presence of especially dangerous infectious agents are recorded and analyzed. The data obtained indicate that the developed methodological approach to optical detection of immune complexes may be promising for creating immunochemical methods of identification of infectious agents.

Cytomegalovirus activation is associated with endothelial function in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Aim: It is well established that both inflammation and endothelial dysfunction play a significant role in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In spite of numerous studies, identification of infectious agents that may trigger these processes remains controversial, presumably due to the latency of most of the infections found in patients with atherosclerosis. Therefore, the objective of our work was to analyze the effect of productive infection of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) on endothelial function in patients with AMI.

Hazardous and Extremely Hazardous Emergent Viral Infections of the Beginning of XXI Century: Rise, Spread, Hazard for Public Health

The article is dedicated to the review of some hazardous and extremely hazardous emergent viral infections of the beginning of the XXI century – severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle-East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Lujo hemorrhagic fever (LHF) and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). Special attention is paid to the time of reveal and identification of infectious agents, their taxonomic belonging, genome organization, possible ways of the appearance of strains, virulent for human beings, to endemic regions, probable ways of infection, reservoirs and transmitters of infection, morbidity and mortality. These infections should be of particular concern because of the severity of illnesses, caused by the above mentioned viruses, the absence of characteristic clinical signs that makes diagnostics more difficult, especially in non-endemic areas, the absence of means of specific prophylaxis and treatment and the difficulties in their identification. The analyze of this emergent viral infections reveals their potential threat for the Armed Forces and population of the Russian Federation in case of accidental or intentional delivery of causative agents of these diseases to the Russian territory

Evaluation of the Prevalence of Nosocomial Infection in Different Wards of Be’sat Hospital of Hamedan

Background: The nosocomial infections are the ones that arise between 48 to 72 hours after patient’s reference to hospital, shortly after hospital discharge, or 30 days after an operation. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of nosocomial infection in different wards of Be’sat hospital of Hamedan. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted (during April-July 2016) on admitted patients that suffered from nosocomial infections based on CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) criteria. During the time of the study, patients who referred to different wards of the hospital (except for the pediatric ward), showed clinical signs of nosocomial infection 48 hours after the admission. Their tracheal, urine, blood, and surgical wound samples were transferred to laboratory for culture and identification of infectious agent. Patients’ demographic information were encoded as confidential records, then, the data were analyzed using SPSS software. All ethical principles of the Helsinki Declaration were observed. Results: Out of a total of 10332 hospitalized patients, 266 (2.6%) of them acquired nosocomial infection of which 183 (69%) of them were males and 83 (31%) were females. The patients’ mean age was 58.14. There was no significant relationship between the age and the type of nosocomial infections (P=0.052). The mean period of hospitalization was 28.2 days. The most common nosocomial infection was ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) with 110 cases (41.3%) and the rarest of them was catheter associated-urine tract infection (CA-UTI) with 23 (8.64%) cases. Fifty-nine cases (53.6%) out of 110 VAP patient cases survived and 51 (46.4%) of them died. The overall mortality rate was 30%. Among 242 bacterial strains isolated, Escherichia coli was the most common strain with a prevalence of 61 (22.9%). Most of the death cases (57.9%) were caused by Proteus nosocomial infections. Conclusion: The high values of nosocomial infections and mortality in Be’sat hospital represent a need to reinforce the preventive and control program on nosocomial infections. In future studies, in order for better presentation of nosocomial infection in terms of latest events, infection and organism type, and antibiotic resistance pattern, novel indexes like device utilization ratio (DUR) and incidence density of device-associated infections (IDDI) are suggested.

Микробиологическая диагностика сопутствующей микобактериальной инфекции при фиброзном кистозе (муковисцидозе)

Diseases caused by mycobacteria, leprosy and tuberculosis, are widely known for many centuries. However, interest in mycobacteriosis, as an infectious disease of human organs caused by other mycobacteria, was only apparent from the late 50s of the 20th century. Over the years of observation, the number of cases of mycobacteriosis in various regions of the world has increased significantly, including in patients with cystic fibrosis. A key sign of comorbidity in cystic fibrosis is a chronic microbial infection that determines the severity of the course and the prognosis of the disease. In order to identify and identify mycobacteria isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis from 2011 to 2018, sputum was examined from 160 patients with cystic fibrosis and suspected mycobacterial infection. Mycobacteria were secreted in 17 (10.6%) patients with cystic fibrosis, of which non-tuberculous mycobacteria predominated. Thirteen patients were infected with M. abscessus (76.4%), two with M.avium (11.7%), one with M.xenopi (5.8%), one with M. tuberculosis (5.8%). Determination of drug sensitivity of mycobacteria showed that the culture of M.tuberculosis was sensitive to all antituberculosis drugs, and strains of nontuberculous mycobacteria had a different spectrum of drug susceptibility to drugs used for the therapy of mycobacteriosis. Identification of infectious agents will help ensure the timely initiation of adequate treatment, proper monitoring and prevention of the spread of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria among patients with cystic fibrosis .

MOLECULAR DETECTION OF INFECTIOUS PATHOGENS OF THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT IN CAPTIVE NONDOMESTIC FELIDS.

Upper respiratory tract disease is a complex infectious disease process with multiple pathogens involved. Identification of infectious agents in wild animals is of great importance for wildlife conservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular detection of feline herpesvirus type 1, feline calicivirus (FCV), Bordetella bronchiseptica , Chlamydophila felis , and Mycoplasma felis using ocular and nasal swabs in three species of captive nondomestic felids. Mycoplasma felis was detected in two ocular samples of Puma concolor and in one nasal sample of one Panthera onca . FCV was detected in association with M. felis in one P. concolor . The other pathogens tested were not detected. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of M. felis in nondomestic felids from Brazil.

Indication and identification of infectious agents in animal products based on biochip technology with a biotin label and colorimetric detection

The results of the development of DNA chips with biotin uterus and colorimetric detection to indicate and identify pathogens in animal products. The constant need to monitor for dangerous infectious diseases makes the urgency of developing new effective methods of identification of pathogens of these diseases. The high specificity and sensitivity of the technique, is 103-104 bacterial cells. The analysis takes 5-7 hours. Visual assessment of the end result allows for biochip test systems in stationary and field conditions, laboratories and regional reference centers. The application of modern biochip technology research quickly and with high reliability to detect infectious agents in a variety of biological materials, typified by strains in order to establish a common source of infection.

Molecular identification of Theileria parasites of northwestern Chinese Cervidae.

BackgroundTheileria and Babesia protozoan parasites are transmitted mainly by tick vectors. These parasites cause heavy economic losses to the live-stock industry, as well as affecting the health of wild animals in parasite-endemic areas. Identification of infectious agents in wild animals is not only crucial for species preservation, but also provides valuable information on parasite epidemiology. Here, we conducted a molecular surveillance study in Northwestern China to assess the prevalence of blood pathogens in cervids.MethodsPCR analysis and microscopic evaluation of blood smears to detect Theileria- and Babesia-related diseases in Cervidae were conducted, in which 22 blood samples from red deer (n = 22) in Qilian Mountain and 20 from sika deer (n = 20) in Long Mountain were collected and tested for the presence of Theileria and Babesia. The 18S rRNA gene was amplified, and selected polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive samples were sequenced for species identification.ResultsPCR revealed that 9.1% of the Qilian Mountain samples and 20% of the Long Mountain samples were positive for Theileria uilenbergi; 90.09% of the Qilian Mountain samples (n = 22) were positive for T. capreoli, but all of the Long Mountain samples (n = 20) were negative for T. capreoli; no other Theileria or Babesia species were found. PCR showed that T. uilenbergi and T. capreoli were present in red deer in Qilian Mountain, while only T. uilenbergi was found in sika Deer in Long Mountain. The 18S rRNA gene sequences were aligned against the corresponding GenBank sequences of known isolates of Theileria and Babesia and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic tree showed that the newly isolated Theileria spp. could be classified as belonging to two clades: one group belonged to the same clade as T. uilenbergi, the other to a clade containing T. capreoli.ConclusionsOur results provide important data to increase understanding of the epidemiology of Cervidae theileriosis, and will assist with the implementation of measures to control theileriosis transmission to Cervidae and small ruminants in central China.

Diagnostic techniques for inflammatory eye disease: past, present and future: a review

Investigations used to aid diagnosis and prognosticate outcomes in ocular inflammatory disorders are based on techniques that have evolved over the last two centuries have dramatically evolved with the advances in molecular biological and imaging technology. Our improved understanding of basic biological processes of infective drives of innate immunity bridging the engagement of adaptive immunity have formed techniques to tailor and develop assays, and deliver targeted treatment options. Diagnostic techniques are paramount to distinguish infective from non-infective intraocular inflammatory disease, particularly in atypical cases. The advances have enabled our ability to multiplex assay small amount of specimen quantities of intraocular samples including aqueous, vitreous or small tissue samples. Nevertheless to achieve diagnosis, techniques often require a range of assays from traditional hypersensitivity reactions and microbe specific immunoglobulin analysis to modern molecular techniques and cytokine analysis. Such approaches capitalise on the advantages of each technique, thereby improving the sensitivity and specificity of diagnoses. This review article highlights the development of laboratory diagnostic techniques for intraocular inflammatory disorders now readily available to assist in accurate identification of infective agents and appropriation of appropriate therapies as well as formulating patient stratification alongside clinical diagnoses into disease groups for clinical trials.