Microbiology And Infection Control Flashcards
What is microbiology?
The study of small lifeforms, including:
1) viruses
2) bacteria
3) fungi
4) protozoa
5) algae
Microbiology several sub-disciplines within microbiology
1) bacteriology (study of bacteria)
2) mycology (study of fungi)
3) protozoology
4) virology
Microbiology
Study of small life forms
Immunology
Study of immune system
Biochemistry
Chemistry of life forms
Girolamo Fracastoro
1546- recognized the existence of tiny “living particles” that cause “catching” (contagious) diseases.
Spread by direct contact with humans, indirect contact with objects.
Famously known for naming syphilis (in a poem)
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek
Discovered bacteria
First person to “see” a microbe
Developed a primitive microscope
Named these small forms of life “animacules”
1683- wrote the the Royal Society about his observations on the plaque between his own teeth, “a little white matter, which is as thick as if ‘twere batter”.
Edward Jenner
1749-1823
Credited with concept of immunization
Injection of cowpox (mild disease) and then were protected from smallpox (more serious disease)
Louis Pasteur
Known as the father of immunology
1850’s- associated living organisms with disease
Saved the wine industry by heating the grape juice to reduce the amount of bacteria: “pasteurization” = destroying pathogens in milk and other fluids by heating it to 63 degrees Celsius for 30 mins, or 72 degrees Celsius for 15 seconds
Louis Pasteur
Use of heat to destroy vegetative, bacteria and resistant bacterial spores.
Discovered bacteria produce diseases, such as anthrax, and Cholera
Created first vaccines for rabies, anthrax, and Cholera.
John Tyndall
1820-1893 discovered the need for prolonged heating to destroy bacteria.
Discovered that bacteria existed in two forms
1) heat sensitive
2) heat stable
Discovered the process of “tyndallization” (prolonged or intermittent heat to destroy heat stable/heat sensitive bacteria.
Ferdinand Cohn
1828-1898
Discovered “endospores” (dormant form of bacteria with enhanced resistance to heat, staining and disinfection.)
Joseph lister
1827-1912
Discovered the role of airborne microorganisms.
Discovered that airborne microorganisms can be reduced with carbolic acid (known as phenols today) -spray with phenols to reduce airborne microorganisms.
Used them in WWII surgeries to clean wounds.
Using phenol to boil instruments, and wash hands and surgical linens before surgery =reduced complications.
Christian gram
1853-1938
Discovered gram staining
Gram staining consists of 2 dyes: crystal violet (purple/blue) and safranin (red)
Gram staining has the ability to divide the bacterial world into two distinct groups; gram-positive and gram-negative.
Gram staining determines the differences in the cell wall.
Ignaz philipp semmelweis
In 1861, semmelweis published his principal work, ‘the cause, concept, and prophylaxis of childbed fever’ = how handwashing by doctors would save thousands of lives every year.
Responsible for recognizing the importance of handwashing.
