In vitro diagnostic products (IVDs) for infectious diseases are becoming available commercially at an ever-increasing rate. Aggressive marketing of such products often creates pressure on the laboratory to use IVDs, sometimes even before independent evaluations can be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

IVDs potentially offer simplicity and speed, particularly in detecting microorganisms that have fastidious growth requirements or that are simply not cultivable with currently available methodology. In some instances, IVDs may obviate the need for culture of more common microorganisms and may thereby allow testing to be done in physicians' offices and perhaps ultimately in the home.