Introduction to Diagnostic Microbiology for the Laboratory Sciences, Second Edition provides a concise study of clinically significant microorganisms for the medical laboratory student and laboratory practitioner.

An introductory text intended for medical laboratory technician students and others needing an essential introduction to diagnostic microbiology. It covers bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. The workbook exercises include lab exercises, case studies, and review questions.

Clinical microbiologists are engaged in the field of diagnostic microbiology to determine whether pathogenic microorganisms are present in clinical specimens collected from patients with suspected infections. If microorganisms are found, these are identified and susceptibility profiles, when indicated, are determined. During the past two decades, technical advances in the field of diagnostic microbiology have made constant and enormous progress in various areas, including bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, parasitology, and virology. The diagnostic capabilities of modern clinical microbiology laboratories have improved rapidly and have expanded greatly due to a technological revolution in molecular aspects of microbiology and immunology. In particular, rapid techniques for nucleic acid amplification and characterization combined with automation and user-friendly software have significantly broadened the diagnostic arsenal for the clinical microbiologist. The conventional diagnostic model for clinical microbiology has been labor-intensive and frequently required days to weeks before test results were available. Moreover, due to the complexity and length of such testing, this service was usually directed at the hospitalized patient population. The physical structure of laboratories, staffing patterns, workflow, and turnaround time all have been influenced profoundly by these technical advances. Such changes will undoubtedly continue and lead the field of diagnostic microbiology inevitably to a truly modern discipline. Advanced Techniques in Diagnostic Microbiology provides a comprehensive and up-to-date description of advanced methods that have evolved for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in the routine clinical microbiology laboratory. The book is divided into two sections. The first techniques section covers the principles and characteristics of techniques ranging from rapid antigen testing, to advanced antibody detection, to in vitro nucleic acid amplification techniques, and to nucleic acid microarray and mass spectrometry. Sufficient space is assigned to cover different nucleic acid amplification formats that are currently being used widely in the diagnostic microbiology field. Within each technique, examples are given regarding its application in the diagnostic field. Commercial product information, if available, is introduced with commentary in each chapter. If several test formats are available for a technique, objective comparisons are given to illustrate the contrasts of their advantages and disadvantages. The second applications section provides practical examples of application of these advanced techniques in several "hot" spots in the diagnostic field. A diverse team of authors presents authoritative and comprehensive information on sequence-based bacterial identification, blood and blood product screening, molecular diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases, advances in mycobacterial diagnosis, novel and rapid emerging microorganism detection and genotyping, and future directions in the diagnostic microbiology field. We hope our readers like this technique-based approach and your feedback is highly appreciated. We want to thank the authors who devoted their time and efforts to produce their chapters. We also thank the staff at Springer Press, especially Melissa Ramondetta, who initiated the whole project. Finally, we greatly appreciate the constant encouragement of our family members through this long effort. Without their unwavering faith and full support, we would never have had the courage to commence this project.

A modern, evaluative, and integrative approach to diagnostic microbiology encouraging problem-solving in the clinical laboratory context through the use of examples to illustrate clinical and diagnostic issues Clinical Microbiology for Diagnostic Laboratory Scientists is designed to encourage readers to develop a way of thinking that can be applied to any diagnostic scenario in microbiology. Through consideration of a selected range of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and helminths, the book encourages readers to explore connections between the available information about clinical symptoms, pathogenesis of infections, and the approaches used in laboratory diagnosis, in order to develop new insights. The book begins with an introductory chapter that outlines the scope of clinical diagnostic microbiology and the key areas for the laboratory scientist to be aware of. The subsequent six chapters review a type of infection in depth, using particular pathogenic microorganisms to illustrate salient points. At the end of each chapter there are three exercises related to management of a diagnostic service and assessing the suitability of test methods to specific contexts. There are no right or wrong answers to these, but the reader can discuss them with their laboratory colleagues or university tutor. Makes extensive use of published research in the form of journal articles, publically available epidemiological data, professional guidelines, and specialist websites Stimulates the reader in critical appraisal of published evidence and encourages problem-solving in the laboratory Outlines the scope of clinical diagnostic microbiology and the key areas for the laboratory scientist to be aware of Considers topics relevant to professional scientists working in the area of diagnostic microbiology Clinical Microbiology for Diagnostic Laboratory Scientists is ideal for post graduate scientists intending to pursue careers in diagnostic clinical microbiology and for biomedical scientists, clinical scientists, and full time students studying for upper level qualifications in biomedical science, microbiology, or virology.

Now in striking full color, this Seventh Edition of Koneman’s gold standard text presents all the principles and practices readers need for a solid grounding in all aspects of clinical microbiology—bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and virology. Comprehensive, easy-to-understand, and filled with high quality images, the book covers cell and structure identification in more depth than any other book available. This fully updated Seventh Edition is enhanced by new pedagogy, new clinical scenarios, new photos and illustrations, and all-new instructor and student resources.

Perfect your lab skills with the gold standard in microbiology! Serving as both the #1 bench reference for practicing microbiologists and as a favorite text for students in clinical laboratory science programs, Bailey & Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology, 14th Edition covers all the topical information and critical thinking practice you need for effective laboratory testing. This new edition also features hundreds step-by-step procedures, updated visuals, new case studies, and new material on the latest trends and equipment in clinical microbiology — including automation, automated streaking, MALDI-TOF, and incubator microscopes. It's everything you need to get quality lab results in class and in clinical practice! - More than 800 detailed, full-color illustrations aid comprehension and help in visualizing concepts. - Expanded sections on parasitology, mycology, and virology eliminate the need to purchase separate books on this material. - General and Species boxes in the organism chapters highlight the important topics that will be discussed in the chapter. - Case studies provide the opportunity to apply information to a variety of diagnostic scenarios, and help improve decision-making and critical thinking skills. - Hands-on procedures include step-by-step instructions, full-color photos, and expected results. - A glossary of terms is found at the back of the book for quick reference. - Learning objectives begin each chapter, offering a measurable outcome to achieve by the completing the material. - Learning resources on the Evolve companion website enhance learning with review questions and procedures. - NEW! Coverage of automation, automated streaking, MALDI-TOF, and incubator microscopes keeps you in the know on these progressing topics. - NEW! Updated images provide a more vivid look into book content and reflect the latest procedures. - NEW! Thoroughly reviewed and updated chapters equip you with the most current information. - NEW! Significant lab manual improvements provide an excellent learning resource at no extra cost. - NEW! 10 extra case studies on the Evolve companion website offer more opportunities to improve critical thinking skills.

Providing a solid introduction to the essentials of diagnostic microbiology, this accessible, full-color text helps you develop the problem-solving skills necessary for success in the clinical setting. A reader-friendly, "building block" approach to microbiology moves progressively from basic concepts to advanced understanding, guiding you through the systematic identification of etiologic agents of infectious diseases. Building block approach encourages recall of previously learned information, enhancing your critical and problem solving skills. Case in Point feature introduces case studies at the beginning of each chapter. Issues to Consider encourages you to analyze and comprehend the case in point. Key Terms provide a list of the most important and relevant terms in each chapter. Objectives give a measurable outcome to achieve by completing the material. Points to Remember summarize and help clearly identify key concepts covered in each chapter. Learning assessment questions evaluate how well you have mastered the material. New content addresses bone and joint infections, genital tract infections, and nosocomial infections. Significantly updated chapter includes current information on molecular biology and highlights content on multidrug resistant bacteria. Reorganized chapters accent the most relevant information about viruses and parasites that are also transmissible to humans. Case studies on the Evolve site let you apply the information that you learn to realistic scenarios encountered in the laboratory.