Front Cover

Medical Microbiology Illustrated

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Dedication

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1. Introduction to clinical microbiology

Introduction

The process of microbiological diagnosis

Specimens

Sensitivity testing

Serology and antigen detection

Reporting

Typing

Computerized records

Chapter 2. Gram-positive cocci

Introduction

Staphylococcus

Streptococcus

Chapter 3. Gram-positive bacilli

Introduction

Listeria

Chapter 4. Mycobacterial infection

Introduction

Classification

Pathogenesis

Clinical importance

Laboratory diagnosis

Identification techniques

Susceptibility testing

Chapter 5. Gram-negative cocci (the Neisseriaceae)

Classification

Classification and clinical importance

Neisseria

Chapter 6. Gram-negative coccobacilli

Introduction

Other rare Gram-negative coccobacilli

Chapter 7. Gram-negative bacilli

Introduction

Enterobacteriaceae

Chapter 8. Anaerobes

Introduction

Pathogenesis

Laboratory diagnosis

Generation of anaerobic atmosphere

Identification of anaerobic species

Gram-negative non-sporing anaerobes

Chapter 9. Spiral bacteria

Introduction

Borrelia

Spirillum minor

Chapter 10. Medical mycology

Introduction

Definitions

Classification

Opportunistic fungal infections

Systemic fungal infections

Superficial mycoses

Chapter 11. Parasitology

Introduction

Parasitic infections which present with fever

Intestinal parasites

Intestinal protozoa

Intestinal helminths

Chapter 12. The microbiology laboratory: organization and quality assurance

Microbiology staff

Accreditation

Medical audit

Laboratory controls

Chapter 13. Safety in the laboratory

Introduction

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)

Developing a safety policy

Chapter 14. Collection of blood for culture

Introduction

Principles of blood culture

Laboratory examination of blood culture

Contamination of blood cultures

Concentration techniques

Removal of antibiotics in blood

Investigation of pyrexia of uncertain origin

Chapter 15. Examination of specimens from the central nervous system

Acute meningitis

Brain abscess

Chapter 16. Infections of the respiratory tract

Introduction

Classification of lower respiratory tract infections

Sputum

Nasopharyngeal aspiration

Lung puncture

Throat and nasal swabs

Mycoplasma and ureaplasma

Chlamydia causing respiratory infection

Chapter 17. Examination of faeces for bacterial pathogens

Introduction

Direct examination

Bacteriological culture

Chapter 18. Examination of urine and pus

Urine

Examination of pus

Skin

Diagnosis of ocular infection

Chapter 19. Investigation of specimens from the genital tract and diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Syphilis

Genital mycoplasmas

Donovanosis or granuloma inguinale

Chancroid

Vaginal discharge

Chapter 20. Antimicrobial susceptibility

Introduction

Media

Disc diffusion tests

Breakpoints

Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations

Tests for synergy

Antibiotic assays

Serum bactericidal levels

Beta-lactamase testing

Chapter 21. Serological techniques

Introduction

Antigen–antibody interactions

Some indications for serological investigation

Precipitation and agglutination techniques

Immunofluorescence techniques

Radioimmunoassay (RIA)

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Detection levels of various techniques

Significance of positive results

Chapter 22. Bacteriological examination of water, food and air

Water

Milk

Food

Air

Further reading

Index