ABSTRACT
After reading the following chapter and undertaking personal study, you should be able to:
Identify four types of microorganism and describe their characteristics.
Explain how bacteria are identified.
Describe various host-microorganism relationships and relate these to health and illness.
Identify the routes by which microorganisms enter the body and relate these to clinical practice.
Identify potential sources of infection and mechanisms of transmission of microorganisms with particular reference to clinical practice.
Describe how cross-infection can be prevented, especially in the health-care environment.
Describe the response of the body to infection.
Define immunity and distinguish between innate and acquired immune mechanisms.
Explain the process of immunisation and relate this to health.
Describe how in clinical practice samples of microorganisms are obtained for examination in the microbiology laboratory and outline the tests that are performed there.
Distinguish between cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation and describe the role played by each in the prevention of infection, with special reference to the hospital environment.
Describe how infections are managed and the role of antibiotics.
Explain antibiotic resistance and outline the ways in which it may be avoided.
