infections
Diagnosis of Infectious Disease
Other Tests Used to Identify Microorganisms
Tests that identify certain other unique characteristics of microorganisms are sometimes called Non-nucleic acid–based identification tests These tests are so named because they are not based on Tests That Detect Genetic Material in Microorganisms , which consists of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). For example, tests can be done to identify the following: The substances that the microorganism can grow in or grows best in when it is cultured Production of toxins and enzymes produced by the microorganism (which help the microorganism infect cells or spread through tissues faster) Other substances in the microorganism (such as proteins and fatty acids) that help identify it 