Basic Microbiology

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. describe the classification and nomenclature of microorganisms; 2. explain the general properties of bacteria, structure, growth and reproduction requirements; 3. state the general properties, structure and biology of viruses; 4. describe the characteristics and general features of fungi and their diseases; and 5. discuss about identification and demonstration of pathogens in the laboratory.

Scope of microbiology: Historical approach and many others. Classification and nomenclature of microorganisms. Introduction to the microbial world; Introduction to Bacteriology, Mycology, Virology and Parasitology (the protozoan). Bacteriology: The general properties of bacteria, structure, growth, reproduction, requirements both environmental and nutritional. Aspects of Bacterial metabolism, bacterial genetics and variation. Sterilisation in Microbiology, bacteria in health and disease: Antibiotics and chemotherapy; infection and immunity; introduction to laboratory techniques and methods including serology. Viruses: General properties, structure and biology of viruses, classification – various methods, reproduction, resistance, pathology, purification of viruses, propagation of viruses, immunity and diagnosis of viral infection, interferon and interference, inclusion bodies, cytopathic effects. Viral- host interactions and identification. Fungi: Morphology, groups and classification. Types of lesion and types of mycoses, growth requirements. Characteristics and general features of fungi and their diseases. Identification, and demonstration in the laboratory.