PRINCIPLES, CONCEPTS, TERMINOLOGY AND SCOPE

➢ Tremendous progress has been made in the study of microorganisms and their influence
on the health of human beings
➢ It was possible by

o Improved microscopic techniques and culture techniques

o Application of Koch postulates

o Recent advances in science- has helped faster, easier and simpler methods of disease
diagnosis

➢ Depending up on certain morphological characteristics, microorganisms can be listed as

follows

➢ Bacteria: these microorganisms measured in microns. Their Cell wall consists of

peptidoglycon and their nucleus is primitive, lacks nuclear membrane. Thus bacteria are
called Prokaryote. Systematic study of bacteria- bacteriology

➢ Viruses: these microorganisms are measured in nanometers. They contain either DNA or
RNA but never both. There are two groups of viruses namely DNA viruses and RNA
viruses. Since they lack the necessary machinery for multiplication they have obligate
intracellular existence and depend upon the host cell for their metabolism. systemic study
of viruses is called virology

➢ Fungi: these are characteristic in presence of Chitin in cell wall and Sterols in
Cytoplasmic membrane. Some are unicellular and some are multicellular. Study of fungi
is called as mycology

➢ Parasites: parasites are living organisms depend up on host for their nutrition or survival.
Not all are microscopic

➢ Protozoa are unicellular, microscopic, measured in microns. Systemic study of protozoa

is called as Protozoology.

➢ Helminths are multicellular, macroscopic, measured in millimeters and are visible to

naked eye. Their eggs and larvae require microscope for identification. Systemic study of
helminthes is called as Heliminthology.

➢ Systemic study of parasites is called as Parasitology, which encompasses Protozoology

and Heliminthology.

➢ Immunology: Immune means protection. Immunology is a science which deals with

protective mechanisms in the body which plays a major role in containing the infection
 and removal of microorganisms from the body. The immune system consists of well
structured, well integrated network consisting of immune organs and immune cells, all of
which work in union to destroy the microorganisms and to offer protection to the host.

➢ Scope of medical microbiology:

➢ Medical Microbiology helps in understanding &identifying the cause of infectious

diseases and role of laboratories in diagnosing them

➢ It helps in understanding the treatment strategies for specific disease

➢ It helps in understanding the various mode of transmission, sources of infection and

procedures to control the spread of these infections

➢ It helps in understanding the role of body immune system in defending various infections

➢ In nursing general hygiene and cleanliness is based on the principles of microbiology.

Hospital infection control practices like aseptic techniques, wound washing or general
hygiene is based on principles of microbiology

➢ Disposal of hospital waste is based on principles of medical microbiology.

References:

1. Dr M V Ramanamma- Text book of Microbiology for B. Sc Nursing – Frontline

publication
2. Dr Imtiyaz wani- Text book of Medical Microbiology – PU books

Short answer type questions:

1. Scope of medical microbiology in nursing

MCQ’S:

1. Study of bacteria is known as

a. Bacteriology
b. Virology
c. Mycology
d. parasitology
2. Example for prokaryote is
a. Bacteria
b. Virus
c. Fungi
d. All of the above
3. Study of fungi is known as
a. Bacteriology
b. Mycology
c. Virology
d. parasitology