الفهرس 
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Abstract
A nosocomial infection (derived from the Greek words nosos [disease] and komein [to care for], and later the Latin word for hospital nosocomium) is defined as an infection that is not present or incubating when the patient is admitted to hospital or other health-care facility. Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) increase morbidity and mortalityand constitute a high financial burden on health care systems. The time frame for diagnosis of a nosocomial infection will thus clearly be dependent on the incubation period of the specific infection; 48–72 h after admission is generally deemed indicative of nosocomial, rather than community acquired infection. Although generally associated with hospital admission (hence the term hospital-acquired infection), nosocomial infections can arise after admission to any health-care facility, and the term health-care associated infection is increasingly being used. Such infections are common and associated with great morbidity and mortality.
An effective weapon against HAI is early detection of potential outbreaks and sources of contamination.
Typing of nosocomial pathogens includes:
I. Phenotyping methods.
II. Molecular methods.
Identification by molecular methods allows for more rapid and accurate identification of etiologic agents in a much shorter time than traditional methods. For example, a protocol using real-time PCR to detect and differentiate Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria could yield results in less than 3 hours, inclusive of preparation time. Such rapid identification would allow for the earlier initiation of a focused antimicrobial regimen, and decrease the likelihood of disease progression.