Abstract: A method of determining the presence of a paraffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient is provided. The method includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution and adjusting the solution to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of the patient. The method then further includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and then placing in the receptacle a paraffin coated slide to bait the paraffinophilic microorganism. The slide is then analyzed after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of the paraffinophilic microorganism. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.