Department of Medical Technology

MEDT 406/416 Medical Microbiology

Course Goals

Medical microbiology includes the study of bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology and other closely related specialties.The focus of MEDT406 and MEDT416 (accompanying laboratory) will be human bacteriology, specifically the characterization, identification and pathogenesis (if any) of these organisms.  In addition, a unit on humans parasites is included. The remaining microbiology specialties will be dealt with in separate courses.  Information presented species-by-species in this course serves as the basis for developing the skills used in the Diagnostic Microbiology & Medical Microbiology course (MEDT 430/431) and in the clinical bacteriology laboratory.  Association of bacterial pathogens with the diseases they cause and knowledge of the mechanisms by which those diseases occur provides a basis for interpreting laboratory data and interacting knowledgeably with other health care professionals.

A thorough background in introductory microbiology and immunology is assumed.  Independent review of certain pertinent topics from these previous courses may be helpful and necessary to understand the sometimes complex interactions occurring between a bacterial pathogen and the human host.  Information from prerequisite courses concerning bacterial metabolism will be useful in understanding many of the laboratory tests used for bacterial identification and should be reviewed as necessary.

MEDT406 is organized into six major units: 1) a brief introduction, 2) aerobic/facultative gram-positive bacteria, 3) aerobic/facultative gram-negative bacteria, 4) anaerobic bacteria, 5) miscellaneous bacteria, and 6) human parasites.  The bacteria discussed in units 2, 3, and 4 are subgrouped based on their Gram stain reactions, that is, gram-positive cocci, gram-positive bacilli, gram-negative cocci (or diplococci) and gram-negative bacilli.  Note that a few species do not easily fall into these groups and will be discussed separately.

Laboratory activities are designed to complement the lecture course and provide the student with the opportunity to utilize and practice the principles learned in lecture.

Textbooks

Mahon, CR, Lehman, DC, Manuselis, G. 2011. The textbook of diagnostic microbiology, 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsivier. ISBN: 978-1-4160-6165-6.

Lehman, DC, Walters, H. Medical Microbiology Laboratory, MEDT 416. UD Graphics Communication. ISBN: None.

Instructor

Donald Lehman, Ed.D., MT(ASCP), SM(NRM)
Office: 305C WHL
Phone Number:  302-831-8432
e-mail:  dlehman@udel.edu
Department of Medical Technology Office phone number:  302-831-2849

Laboratory Instructor

Heather Walters, B.S. MT(ASCP)
Office: 305D WHL
Phone Number: 302-831-4212
e-mail: hwalters@udel.edu

Sample syllabus