Microbiology is a branch of medicine and biology that focuses on the study of these microorganisms, their different properties and their clinical applications.
Microorganisms are divided into prokaryotic (without a nucleus), e.g. bacteria, and eukaryotic (with a nucleus), e.g. fungi and protists, and viruses.
In the microbiology department, tests are performed to detect microorganisms in various biological fluids of the body and their sensitivity to various antibiotics. In recent years, the use of molecular biology and genetics methods has led to more accurate and faster detection and diagnosis of microbial infections.
Main tests:
- Microbial cultures: nutrient materials are used under specific growth conditions (aerobic – anaerobic as well as in CO2)
Urine, Urethral secretion, Vaginal – Tracheal smear, Feces, Sperm, Pharyngeal – Nasal – Oral smear, Trauma – Skin lesion – Pus, Eye smear, Otic smear, Nasal – Skin lesion exudate (for fungal detection), Sputum – Bronchoalveolar lavage, Blood, Various biological fluids ( CSF, Peritoneal, Synovial, Pleural, Drainage fluids, Catheters, etc.etc.) - Antibiotic susceptibility testing (antibiogram) by the Kirby-Bauer method and fungiogram
- Direct microscopic preparations in the above biological fluids using specific stains for microbial detection and cell counting
Wet – Direct preparation, Gram stain, Ziehl-Nielsen stain (for acidic microorganisms such as Mycobacteria and Nocardia), May-Grünwald stain, Giemsa stain, Eosin stain, Lugol, KOH (Potassium Hydroxide), Lactophenol Blue stain (for detection of fungi), SUDAN III stain, etc.
Special tests:
- Feces: parasitology, Mayer (detection of haemoglobin), detection of indigestible food residues (fat, muscle fibres, starch granules)
- Stamey-Meares protective secretion
- Spermogram
Common microbes detected in crops:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus (pyogenes, agalactiae, pneumoniae)
- Enterococcus
- E. coli
- Klebsiella
- Proteus
- Pseudomonas
- Salmonella – Shigella
- Mycoplasma
- Ureoplasma
- Chlamydia
- trichomonas vaginalis
- Gardnerella vaginalis
- candida albicans