What is fastidious?

Fastidious is a term used to describe bacterial species that require specific and often complex growth conditions in order to survive and thrive. These species are often difficult to isolate and culture in the laboratory due to their particular growth requirements. Examples of fastidious bacteria include pathogenic microorganisms like Treponema pallidum (the cause of syphilis), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the cause of tuberculosis), and Legionella pneumophila (the cause of Legionnaires' disease). In addition to challenging laboratory cultivation, fastidious bacteria can also be difficult to diagnose clinically due to their complex nature. Specialized techniques such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and DNA sequencing may be required to identify the presence of these elusive organisms.