Clinical microbiology

Article By:

Tilton, Richard C. Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.

Spiegel, Carol A. Department of Pathology and Laboratory, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin.

Last reviewed:March 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.141000

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• Clinical microbiology, published January 2019:Download PDF Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

The adaptation of microbiological techniques to the study of the etiological agents of infectious disease. Clinical microbiology, also termed medical microbiology, is a branch of science concerned with the investigation of pathogenic microorganisms [particularly bacteria (see illustration), fungi, parasites, and viruses] capable of causing infectious diseases in humans. In general, clinical microbiologists determine the nature of infectious disease and test the ability of various antibiotics to inhibit or kill the isolated pathogenic microorganisms. In addition to bacteriology, a contemporary clinical microbiologist is also responsible for a wide range of microscopic and cultural studies in mycology, parasitology, and virology. The clinical microbiologist is often the most competent person available to determine the nature and extent of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections, as well as public-health problems that affect both the hospital and the community. See also: Antibiotic; Clinical pathology; Epidemiology; Medical bacteriology; Microbiology; Nosocomial disease; Pathogen

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