Difference between medical microbiology and microbiology?

Difference between medical microbiology and microbiology?

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN #MEDICAL #MICROBIOLOGY AND #MICROBIOLOGY?

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, achaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of micro organisms including the host’s response to these agents. It is the scientific study of micro organisms, those being unicellular, multicellular or acellular. Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including Virology, Bacteriology, Protistology, Mycology, Immunology and Parasitology.

Medical Microbiology is a branch of medical science concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms. It involves the various applications of microbes for the improvement of health. It is also called Clinical Microbiology. Medical Microbiologists (which are mostly medical doctors – pathologists) provide a consultancy service to clinical colleagues regarding care of patients with suspected infection. They advise on the most suitable samples to collect and identify the causative by microscopic examination, biochemical and molecular tests and analysis of the results.

Microbiology encompasses all the aspects under in such as Virology, Bacteriology, Food Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, and Medical/Clinical Microbiology, while Medical Microbiology is an aspect under Microbiology streamlined to focus more on the clinical side of Microbiology which involves the use of sophisticated clinical equipment like microscopes, cell counters and other high precision equipment to carry out tests in chemistry, hematology, immunology, transfusion medicine, and microbiology. Medical Microbiology also requires additional knowledge and training under experienced Medical Microbiologists as opposed to Microbiology.

Medical Microbiologists contribute to public health strategies such as minimizing antibiotic resistance by constructing guidance on appropriate prescribing for a range of diseases and promoting patient adherence to treatment regimens. It is an exacting discipline that requires precise medical knowledge from its practitioners.

As we can see a Medical Microbiologists line if work is pretty specific while Microbiologists have a wide range of job descriptions and opportunities ranging from Oil companies to Medical Institutions to Research Institutions to Food companies to Regulatory agencies.

Olayinka Shyllon

Image Credit: Shore Medical Centre