What is the identification method called when a virus is identified by observing growth patterns on cultured media?

The identification method referred to is known as presumptive identification. This method involves assessing the characteristics and growth patterns of a virus on cultured media to make an initial determination about its identity. In a laboratory setting, when a virus is cultured, the way it grows can provide valuable clues about its type or strain. Presumptive identification is typically the first step and indicates that the results suggest a particular pathogen, but further testing is usually required to confirm the identification definitively.

This contrasts with confirmatory methods, which provide definitive proof of a pathogen’s identity through more specific tests, such as molecular techniques or serological assays. Specific methods refer to tests designed to identify a very particular organism and are generally more precise than presumptive methods. Indirect identification involves methods that do not identify the pathogen directly but infer its presence through the detection of antibodies or other markers in the host.

Thus, the growth patterns on cultured media offer a valuable yet preliminary assessment that fits perfectly with the concept of presumptive identification.