Which types of specimens are commonly tested in microbiology?

In microbiology, a wide variety of specimens can be tested to detect the presence of microorganisms and diagnose infections. Blood, urine, sputum, and swabs are commonly analyzed because they are representative of different body systems and potential infection sites.

Blood samples can help identify systemic infections, such as bacteremia or septicemia, where pathogens are present in the bloodstream. Urine samples are essential for diagnosing urinary tract infections. Sputum samples provide critical information about respiratory infections, allowing for the identification of pathogens like bacteria or fungi in the lungs. Swabs, collected from various sites such as the throat, nose, or wounds, are useful for identifying specific organisms causing localized infections.

The inclusion of these diverse specimen types reflects the various methods of microbial transmission and infection, enabling practitioners to obtain a comprehensive understanding of a patient's condition. Therefore, choice C accurately encompasses the spectrum of specimen types utilized in microbiological testing.