Several methods are available for detection and identification of microorganism in clinical samples. Conventional culture-based methods are well adapted and inexpensive but are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Molecular methods are rapid, sensitive, and more specific but a bit costly.
A perfect diagnostic method must be sensitive, specific, rapid, easy to interpret and cost-effective. In the current scenario, no microbial diagnostic method is perfect, each has both advantage and limitations. Source: http://biametrics.com/microbiological-diagnostics-will-molecular-tests-replace-conventional-method
