European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EXCELLENCE OF MODERN METHODS OVER CONVENTIONAL METHODS FOR BACTERIAL IDENTIFICATION

P. Roy and R. P. Jayaswal*

ABSTRACT

Laboratory identification of human pathogen is a great diagnostic challenge using traditional methods. Proper identification of microbes is always considered as an important part of any research. For all kinds of research related to microbiology, there is a demand for establishing rapid and accurate methods of identifying causative agent. This kind of approach alleviates researcher to do further study using identified microbes. The bacteria that can be identified by phenotypic methods can be identified by genotypic methods also but all bacteria identified by the genotypic method cannot be identified by the phenotypic methods. In this aspect, evaluation of 16S rRNA has been thought to be a great hope for proper identification and characterization of isolated strain. Similarly, use of mass spectroscopy for bacterial identification, especially ‘matrix associated laser desorption ionization time of flight’ have been reported as rapid, precise and cost- effective method for bacterial identification. The modern identification methods have hence thought to help us in acquiring more applicable identity of bacteria of different species and diagnosing more upcoming species causing threat to human life. More research is required to validate existing methods and make an effective strategy for rapid identification of clinical isolates to carryout effectual therapy.

Keywords: Traditional methods, Phenotypic methods, Genotypic methods, Ionization Time Of Flight, Mass spectroscopy, 16S rRNA, Matrix associated Laser Desorption.