Clinico-Basic Microbiology (original) (raw)

Microbes are integral part of our planet, sharing life with humans. They may have either beneficial roles in maintaining life, or undesirable roles in causing diseases. Also mutant strains are constantly arising that account for rapid evolutionary adaptation & emergence of diseases such as AIDS, & antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis. So, it becomes necessary to understand & employ the principles of microbiology & molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, & newer developments in diagnostic aids & treatment, as this will make the physicians & medical scientists enable to control an increasing number of infectious diseases. Clinico-basic Microbiology is effectively two books in one, encompassing comprehensive review of medically important microbes & parasites. The book is written at a level appropriate for medical students  The book starts with chapters presenting the general concepts of bacterial microbiology.  Following that, there are series of chapters on medically important bacterias. The chapters themselves are comprehensive yet free of unnecessary detail. An identical format is followed thru-out, designed according to the examination pattern in our country, & it consists of classification, morphology, culture, antigens, toxins, enzymes, habitat & transmission, pathogenesis & clinical findings, diagnostic laboratory tests, immunity, treatment, & prevention & control.  The whole microbiology section is extensively revised & updated..  A new chapter on Helicobacter pylori is added.  Format of the chapters on parasites are modified according to the need, consisting of inclusion of life cycle, & exclusion of culture, antigens, enzymes, & toxins.  A chapter on mycology provides basic brief review of medically important fungi.  The virology section is extended with 4 new chapters. Medically important viruses are described in some details along the same lines as that for bacteriology section.  Morphology is elaborated with the help of pictures of simple microscopy, or electron micrographs. Similarly life-cycles are elaborated in attractive diagrammatic form.  Informative review boxes are given at appropriate places.  Self-examination section is similarly extended with a new chapter according to the changing trends in examination pattern. One chapter comprises T/F type MCQs, & the other chapter comprises singlebest MCQs. In the end, I would like to say thanks to Dr. Ghazala Arfa, Dr. Shumaila Bano, Mr. Aamir Pervaiz, & Mr. M. Nadim for every sort of cooperation they have provided. Any suggestion for the improvement of this book will be acknowledged with thanks. Dr. Muhammad Shamjm 14th April 2017