title: Microbiology of nosocomial infections: progress and challenges.
abstract: Technological advances have expanded the role of the clinical microbiology laboratory in supporting management and control of health-care-associated infections (HAI). Diagnostic capabilities have been complemented by new methods for characterisation of microbial antigens and nucleic acids. Genomic "fingerprinting" enables the study of transmission of nosocomial pathogens. Monitoring of their antimicrobial resistance patterns has gained critical importance. However, cost-effective application of microbiological testing for improved treatment and prevention of HAI requires further study.
authors.affiliation: Service de Microbiologie, Microbiology Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles-Hopital Erasme, 808, route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels, Belgium. marc.struelens@ulb.ac.be
authors.forename: Marc J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Struelens
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Denis
authors.forename: Hector
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Villalobos
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D009696:Nucleic Acids