Macroscopic and microscopic examination of clinical specimens is important for orienting the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Macroscopic examination assesses specimen quality and identifies abnormalities that may indicate a pathogen, such as turbid CSF suggesting bacterial meningitis. Microscopic examination uses various staining techniques and microscopy types to visualize pathogens like bacteria, parasites, and fungi directly in specimens. Stains such as Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen are used to classify bacteria and identify acid-fast organisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis respectively. Together, macroscopic and microscopic examination provide clues for targeting appropriate microbiological tests and presumptive diagnosis.