[The past and future of the clinical microbiology]

The purpose of clinical microbiology is to provide accurate information about microorganisms in a given specimen. This information is of significance to the patient as well as to the clinician. In this symposium, we discussed ways in which the microbiological laboratory has contributed to controlling infectious diseases as well as the advanced technology needed in the laboratory of the to future to quickly identify suitable chemotherapy. First, Dr. Kudo reviewed the past activities of microbiological laboratories. Then Dr. Machida, Dr. Okada and Dr. Kanno discussed the current situation and existing problems in clinical microbiology. Following that, Dr. Inamatsu presented a paper on the clinician's view of which microbiological examinations are useful inpatient treatment. Lastly, Mr. Sugahara discussed advanced technology in the field of clinical microbiology, and Dr. Kobayashi described the activity of microbiological laboratory as a part of an infection control unit in the hospital.