Medical microbiology

Medical microbiology is a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. In addition, this field of science studies various clinical applications of microbes for the improvement of health. There are four kinds of microorganisms that cause infectious disease: bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, and one type of infectious protein called prion.

Overview

A medical microbiologist studies the characteristics of pathogens, their modes of transmission, mechanisms of infection and growth. Using this information, a treatment can be devised. Medical microbiologists often serve as consultants for physicians, providing identification of pathogens and suggesting treatment options. Other tasks may include the identification of potential health risks to the community or monitoring the evolution of potentially virulent or resistant strains of microbes, educating the community and assisting in the design of health practices.

Branches of Medical Microbiology

Medical microbiology can be broken down into several branches, including:

• Bacteriology: The study of bacteria.
• Virology: The study of viruses and some other virus-like agents.
• Mycology: The study of fungi, such as yeasts and molds.
• Parasitology: The study of parasites.
• Immunology: The study of the immune system.

Role in Infectious Diseases

Medical microbiology is not only about diagnosing and treating disease, it also involves the study of beneficial microbes. Microbes have been shown to be helpful in combating infectious disease and promoting health.

Treatments can be developed to combat infectious diseases through a better understanding of the microbial world. This can be achieved through the study of various strains of bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

See Also

• Microbiology
• Infectious Disease
• Pathology
• Immunology

References

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