- Read the definition of the “microbiology” and identify its main responsibilities.
Microbiology - the study of microorganisms, and the isolation and identification of disease-causing bacteria, yeasts, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Microbiologists also determine the antibiotic susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria that are grown from clinical specimens.
Microbiology receives almost any clinical specimen, including swabs, feces, urine, blood, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, as well as possible infected tissue. The work here is mainly concerned with cultures, to look for suspected pathogens which, if found, are further identified based on biochemical tests. Also, sensitivity testing is carried out to determine whether the pathogen is sensitive or resistant to a suggested medicine. Results are reported with the identified organism(s) and the type and amount of drug(s) that should be prescribed for the patient.