clinical isolates

Clinical isolates are samples of bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms collected from a patient during an infection. These isolates are grown and studied in laboratories to identify the specific pathogen responsible for the illness. Analyzing clinical isolates helps doctors determine the most effective treatments, understand how infections spread, and monitor for drug resistance. Essentially, they are the "fingerprints" of pathogens taken directly from patients, providing critical information for accurate diagnosis and tailored therapy.