Why are Culture-Based Assays Important in Epidemiology?

Culture-based assays are critical in epidemiology for several reasons:

Identification of Pathogens: They enable the precise identification of the causative agents of infectious diseases.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing: Once a pathogen is isolated, it can be tested against various antibiotics to determine the best treatment options.
Outbreak Investigation: Culture-based assays help identify the source and spread of infectious disease outbreaks by comparing isolates from different patients.
Surveillance: They are used in ongoing surveillance programs to monitor the prevalence and spread of infectious diseases.