Aims and Scope
Publishing rigorous clinical microbiology research that advances diagnostic science and improves infectious disease patient care worldwide.
Journal Mission
The International Journal of Clinical Microbiology (IJCM) is dedicated to advancing diagnostic microbiology through the publication of rigorous, peer-reviewed research. Our mission is to provide laboratory scientists, clinicians, and researchers with evidence that directly informs diagnostic practice and improves patient outcomes.
We welcome original research, reviews, case reports, and methodological advances across all areas of diagnostic microbiology. IJCM prioritizes research with clear clinical laboratory applications and translational potential.
IJCM welcomes submissions addressing fundamental and applied aspects of clinical microbiology. Our editorial focus spans the complete spectrum of diagnostic laboratory science, from specimen processing and culture techniques to molecular diagnostics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Diagnostic Bacteriology
Research on bacterial identification, culture methods, biochemical testing, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry applications, and phenotypic characterization of clinically significant bacterial pathogens including emerging resistance patterns.
Clinical Virology
Studies on viral detection methods, molecular diagnostics for respiratory and bloodborne viruses, serological testing, viral load monitoring, and emerging viral pathogen identification in clinical specimens.
Medical Mycology
Investigations into fungal identification, antifungal susceptibility testing, invasive mycoses diagnosis, and laboratory approaches to opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patient populations.
Clinical Parasitology
Research on parasitic disease diagnosis, microscopic and molecular detection methods, parasitology laboratory techniques, and epidemiological studies of parasitic infections affecting human health.
Antimicrobial Resistance
Studies addressing antimicrobial susceptibility testing, resistance mechanism detection, phenotypic and genotypic resistance characterization, and antimicrobial stewardship program effectiveness in clinical settings.
Molecular Diagnostics
Advances in PCR-based detection, nucleic acid amplification techniques, sequencing applications, point-of-care molecular testing, and laboratory automation for infectious disease diagnostics.
Laboratory Automation
Research on automated specimen processing, culture systems, identification platforms, and workflow optimization in clinical microbiology laboratories.
Infection Control
Studies on healthcare-associated infection surveillance, outbreak investigation, environmental microbiology, and laboratory support for infection prevention programs.
Point-of-Care Testing
Research on rapid diagnostic tests, near-patient testing devices, and decentralized testing strategies for infectious disease diagnosis.
Quality Assurance
Studies on laboratory quality management, proficiency testing, method validation, and accreditation compliance in clinical microbiology settings.
Translational focus: IJCM particularly welcomes research that bridges laboratory science and clinical practice. We prioritize studies that advance diagnostic methodology while maintaining clear relevance to patient care and public health.
We publish diverse article formats to accommodate different research contributions. Each submission undergoes rigorous peer review appropriate to its format and methodology.
- Original Research: Full-length investigations presenting novel findings with detailed methodology applicable to clinical microbiology practice
- Review Articles: Comprehensive systematic or narrative reviews synthesizing current knowledge on diagnostic techniques or infectious disease topics
- Case Reports: Clinically instructive cases demonstrating unusual pathogens, diagnostic challenges, or therapeutic insights
- Technical Notes: Brief reports describing methodological advances, assay validations, or procedural improvements
- Letters to the Editor: Concise communications addressing published work or presenting preliminary findings
- Perspectives: Expert commentary on emerging issues or future directions in clinical microbiology
IJCM upholds the highest standards for clinical laboratory research. We require adherence to appropriate reporting guidelines including STROBE for observational studies, STARD for diagnostic accuracy studies, and ARRIVE for animal studies. Ethical approval documentation and data transparency are mandatory.
Our rigorous peer review process ensures that all published work demonstrates valid methodology, appropriate statistical analysis, and clear relevance to diagnostic practice in clinical settings.
Submit Your Research
Contribute to advancing diagnostic microbiology. We welcome submissions aligned with our scope.
Submit Manuscript View Call For Papers
