Abstract
Microbiological diagnosis in endophthalmitis is evolving. Stains and cultures remain the “gold standard” for laboratory diagnosis and confirmation; however, the role of the laboratory is being redefined and expanded to meet the demand for increased sensitivity and quicker turnaround times. The demand for quicker turnaround times and increased diagnostic sensitivity is fueled and paralleled by the increase in the number of patients at risk.
New culture-dependent and culture-independent procedures are slowly being integrated into clinical microbiology laboratories to help meet this need. Incorporating these new tests to complement traditional method will result in improved diagnostics and increased benefit for patient care and positive outcomes.