Microbiology and Immunology

Medical training and careers in microbiology WORLD OF MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY

372

•

is to do original and independent research, teach undergradu-

ate and graduate students, or to assume an executive position.

Medical technologists are involved in carrying out the

myriad of microbiological tests that are performed on samples

such as urine, blood and other body fluids to distinguish path-

ogenic microorganisms from the normal flora of the body.

This can be very much akin to detective work, involving the

testing of samples by various means to resolve he identity of

an organism based on the various biochemical behaviors.

Increasingly, such work is done in conjunction with automated

equipment. Medical technologists must be skilled at schedul-

ing tests efficiently, independently and as part of a team.

Training as a medical technologist is typically at a community

college or technical institution and usually requires two years.

As in the other disciplines of medical microbiology,

medical technology is a specialized field. Histopathology is

the examination of body cells or tissues to detect or rule out

disease. This speciality involves knowledge of light and elec-

tron microscopic examinationof samples. Cytology is the

study of cells for abnormalities that might be indicative of

infection or other malady, such as cancer. Medical immunol-

ogystudies the response of the host to infection. A medical

immunologist is skilled at identifying those immune cells that

active in combating an infection. Medical technology also

encompasses the area of clinical biochemistry, where cells and

body fluids are analyzed for the presence of components

related to disease. Of course the study of microorganism

involvement in disease requires medical technologists who are

specialized microbiologists and virologists, as two examples.

Medical microbiologists also can find a rewarding

career path in industry. Specifically, the knowledge of the sus-

ceptibility or resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobial

Working as a specialist in a medical microbiology laboratory is one of many careers available in the field.

womi_M 5/7/03 7:52 AM Page 372