Laboratory diagnosis of infections in febrile neutropenic or immunocompromised patients

Laboratory diagnosis of infections in febrile neutropenic or immunocompromi sed patients is particularly challenging, and covers the most frequent clin ical presentations such as bloodstream infections, lung, CNS and skin infec tions, as well as invasive fungal infections. Classic methods such as direc t examination, culture and tests for susceptibility are being more compleme nted by molecular detection of microorganisms (PCR in particular) and antig en detection in various body fluids or tissues; two promising methods which offer the advantage of speed and high sensitivity even after starting anti microbial therapy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.