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Medical Microbiologists - Washington, DC

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What is Medical Microbiology?

Medical microbiology is a specialty of pathology that studies microorganisms and their role in the development and spread of infectious diseases. Microorganisms that cause infection are also called microbial pathogens. The main microbial pathogens that medical microbiologists study are bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Medical microbiologists are physicians who seek to identify harmful pathogens and to protect patients from developing infections that may significantly endanger human health.

Once a person or host is exposed to a pathogen, the pathogen may replicate, spread throughout the body, and release illness-inducing toxins. The immune system will attempt to attack these infectious pathogens; however, some pathogens may not be eliminated. Frequent conditions that are caused by microbial pathogens include:

  • Strep throat, which develops from infection by Streptococcus bacteria
  • Flu, which develops from infection by influenza A, B, C, or D viruses
  • Chicken pox, which develops from infection by Varicella zoster virus
  • Tuberculosis, which develops from infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria
  • HIV/AIDs, which develops from infection by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
  • Athlete's foot, which develops from infection by Trichophyton mentagrophytes fungus

Medical microbiologists examine patient specimens in a hospital microbiology laboratory or specialized microbiology laboratory setting. Their research data and results can effectively diagnose patients with certain infectious diseases, allowing patients to receive appropriate treatment. If a medical microbiologist finds evidence of infection from a patient specimen, an antimicrobial therapy treatment such as antibiotic medication may be prescribed. Medical microbiologists' responsibilities include:

  • Performing microbiological stains and cultures, where small samples or smears are dyed and examined under a microscope
  • Identifying present bacteria, fungus, viruses, and parasites, and determining their strain and antibiotic susceptibility
  • Documenting a pathogen's interaction with certain live organisms
  • Performing advanced molecular testing techniques such as polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), which identify genetic fragments of a microorganism

In addition to diagnosing patients, medical microbiologists may research the nature of existing and new microbial pathogens. Medical microbiologists may determine a pathogen's risks, path of transmission, and advise epidemiologists in implementing appropriate preventative measures. Medical microbiologists may work with pathologists, infectious disease specialists, immunologists, clinical laboratory scientists, virologists, and cell biologists.