Main description:

This lab manual emphasizes the basic principles of diagnostic microbiology for students preparing to enter the allied health field. Students are led through a series of exercises that allow them to learn basic microbiology techniques and practice safety in the laboratory and hospital environment. It is primarily oriented toward meeting the interests and needs of those who will be directly involved in patient care and wish to learn how microbiological principles should be applied in the practice of their professions.

The authors articulate the purposes and function of the clinical microbiology laboratory in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Exercises illustrate the nature of laboratory procedures used for isolation and identification of infectious agents as well as the principles of asepsis, disinfection and sterilization. The role of the health professional is highlighted in regard to appropriate collection of clinical specimens and application of aseptic and disinfectant techniques as they relate to patient care.

Contents:

1. The Microscope2. Handling and Examining Cultures3. Simple Stains, Hanging Drop, and Wet-Mount Preparations4. Gram Stain5. Acid-Fast Stain6. Culture Media7. Streaking Technique to Obtain Pure Cultures8. Subculture Techniques9. Moist and Dry Heat10. The Autoclave11. Disinfectants12. Antimicrobial Agent Susceptibility Testing and Resistance13. Primary Media for Isolation of Microorganisms14. Some Metabolic Activities of Bacteria15. Activities of Bacterial Enzymes16. Antigen Immunoassays for Detection and Identification of Microogranisms17. Principles of Nucleic Acid Assays for Multiplex Syndrome Panel Testing for the Diagnosis of Infectious Disease 18. Principles and Applications of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry for the Rapid Identification of Bacteria and Fungi19. Streptococci20. Streptococci, Pneumococci, and Enterococci21. Haemophilus, Corynebacteria, and Bordetella22. Clinical Specimens from the Respiratory Tract23. The Enterobacteriaceae (Enteric Bacilli) and Other Clinically Important Gram-Negative Bacilli24. Clinical Specimens from the Intestinal Tract25. Urine Culture Techniques26. Neisseria and Spirochetes27. Clinical Specimens from Blood28. Anaerobic Bacteria29. Mycobacteria30. Mycoplasmas, Rickettsiae, Chlamydiae, Viruses, and Prions31. Fungi:Yeasts and Molds32. Protozoa and Animal Parasites33. Serodiagnosis of Infectious Disease34. Principles and Practices of Infection Prevention