Microbiology

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. The primary goal of the bacteriology lecture series is to develop a knowledge of clinical microbiology to include the processing, identification and susceptibility of infectious organisms with considerations on:

• Proper identification of clinical specimens using established patient / specimen verification protocols and maintaining the sterility of the specimen throughout the identification process, incorporating disinfection and biohazard techniques appropriate with the infectious agents being identified.

• Knowledge of the proper collection sites and techniques for the different types of microbiologic specimens with the selection of the appropriate media and the incubation temperature for the isolation of the infectious agents for these various sites.

• Identification of typical flora in certain specimens and the recognition with identification of pathogenic organisms through the use of algorithms during the initial process, expanding the use of biochemical testing (conventional and automated) for unusual organisms. Interpretation of conventional testing methodology is emphasized with the comparison of biochemical reactions most commonly utilized in commercial systems.

• Emphasis on significant clinical pathogens in the following groups: Gram positive cocci, Gram negative cocci, fastidious small Gram negative bacilli, Enterobacteriaceae, no fermentative Gram negative bacilli, non-sporeforming and sporeforming Gram positive bacilli, anaerobic organisms, Mycobacteriaceae and miscellaneous organisms.

• Requirements and troubleshooting parameters for the susceptibility testing of pathogens utilizing the qualitative method of Kirby-Bauer relating the same requirements for commercial testing methodologies. Recognizing the need for identification of emerging multi-drug resistant mechanisms of certain pathogens, especially with Enterobacteriaceae and the techniques utilized for the testing.