Overview of Medical Microbiology in relation to human health 1

Dr F Noordeen Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine Peradeniya March 2013

Learning outcomes
To internalize the interactions of micro and macro-organisms with human beings To state why medical undergraduates need to know about micro and macro-organisms To list what medical microbiologists and parasitologists do

Microbial world
Biological world composed of microbes Microorganisms are
Unicellular Too small to be seen by the naked eye Predominate in relation to biomass and number of species Microbial colonies / communities can be seen

Bacteria Archaea Fungi

Algae Protozoa

Where are micro-organisms found?

Everywhere water is found! Wherever any higher forms of life are present

Normal flora of the human body Microbes from Space ASM News 71 (4): 179-186

Fermentation in the food industry!

OF USE TO MAN

Industrial microbiology

Thiobacillus thiooxidans + sulpher Removes radiioactively contaminated surface layers of concrete

Sewage treatment facility

Pharmaceutical microbiology

Antimicrobial agents vaccines

Biotechnology

Drugs /hormones prepared by recombinant technology

Microorganisms benefit humans

Essential for maintaining balance of nature and sustaining life Food production Waste removal Antibiotic production Production of vaccines
Microorganisms are ubiquitous Microorganisms are abundant Most microorganisms are non pathogens

Food microbiology Agricultural microbiology

Increased risk of microbes entering food chain

Intense animal husbandry

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy United kingdom 1985-1995

PRIONS

Bioterrorism

In 1763 in the New World, smallpox infected blankets were distributed to Native Americans starting an epidemic which killed thousands. Controversy still exists as to whether this was deliberate bioterrorism or a tragic mistake, though there were several instances of this happening.

Bird flu

I think I may have bird flu!!

HIV / AIDS

Microbiologists study microscopic life. They seek to understand how bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms behave and how they affect the world especially our world for good or ill

(Bernard Dixon ASM News 1997 63(3)

Medical microbiologists and Parasitologists

(those who work with microorganisms in relation to human health)

Set up a diagnostic service Infection control in hospital Prevention of infections in community Antibiotic use and misuse Advice on policy related to human infections

Departments of Microbiology & Parasitology

Academic staff Microbiology Dr F Noordeen (Head) Dr CN Ratnatunga Prof V Thevanesam Dr VLC Liynapathirana Dr BN Dissanayake Non academic staff Technical Clerical Lab attendants and Labourer Academic staff Parasitology Dr D Iddawela (Head) Dr R Morel Dr DN Atapattu Dr S Wickramasinghe Non academic staff Technical Clerical Lab attendant

Medical Microbiology and Parasitology

Learn about micro-organisms which cause disease in human host Prove causation Organism Disease Disease Organisms Diagnose specific cause of an infection Antimicrobials which are used in treatment Prevention of infection