MICROBIOLOGY AND

PARASITOLOGY
BY W KAKUMURA
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SAFETY
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MGT/
BSc HONOURS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
 Microbiology and Parasitology
• Objectives
 Define key terms used in microbiology and parasitology.
 Outline the historical background of microbiology and
parasitology.
 State the importance of microbiology in nursing.
 State the microscopes used in microbiology and parasitology.
 Describe the transmission of micro-organisms including HIV.
 Describe the microorganisms
 Describe the HIV cell structure and the HIV lifecycle
Cont’
Describe the factors that promote the growth of
microbes.
Outline the classification and the description of
parasites of medical importance.
Describe immunity including the body’s response
to HIV infection.
Describe the process of sterilization and
disinfection.
Definition
• Microorganism – living organism so small
that needs magnification to be seen.
• Microscopy – a technique used to make
microbes visible using a microscope.
• Microbiology – a study of microorganisms.
• Medical microbiology – study of microbes
that cause dizz in man including their dsis,
prevnt and trtmt
 Cont’
• Infection – the invasion and multiplication
of micro organisms or invasion of an
organism’s body tissues by disease causing
agents.
• Immunity – the balanced state of having
adequate biological defences to fight
infection disease or other unwanted
biological invasion while having adequate
tolerance to avoid allergy and autoimmune
dizz
Cont’
• Antigen – any substance that causes an immune
system to produce antibodies against it.
• Antibody – a large Y shaped protein produced by
plasma cells that forms the body’s immune system.
• Virology – study of viruses
• Mycology – study of fungi
• Parasite – an organism which lives in or on another
organism.
• Nosocomial infection – hospital acquired infections
• Retrovirus – an RNA based virus.
Cont’
• Sterilization – total destruction of microorganisms an
their spores.
• Disinfection – a process of rendering unanimated and
animate surfaces surgically clean.
• Commensalism – a relationship between two
organisms where one benefits but the other is not hurt.
• Mutualism – both organisms benefit.
• Symbiosis – any 2 organisms living in close
association one living on or in the other.
• Parasitism – One partner (the parasite) harms or lives
on the expense of the host.
 Historical Background
• Notice was made that dizz spread from 1 person
to another.
• Though the existence of microorganisms was not
known.
• Even without knowledge ancient pple learnt to
prevent and deal with infections through trial and
error.
• In the bible infected pple were isolated from non
infected.
• In 1675 Antony van Leuwehoek invented a
simple microscope.
Cont’
 In 1798 Edward Jenner introduced the practice of
vaccination.
 Through an observation that an attack from cowpox can
confer immunity to smallpox which was more fatal.
 Microbiology was founded by a scientist called Louise
Pasteur.
 He discovered many pathogenic microbes and how they
cause dizz.
 He invented ways of culturing bacteria in the laboratory.
 He established the principle of immunisation.
 Robert Koch is the doctor who discovered bacterial causes of
many dizz.
Cont’
 In 1852 he discovered the TB bacillus and how they cause
illness.
 He also discovered aga as the culture for bacteria.
 There was no conception of asepsis, antisepsis and cross
infection.
 Dr Simmelweis discovered that puerperal sepsis is due to
infection of mothers by the dirty hands of midwives and
obstetricians.
 His work met great resistance and eventually due to serious
work hygiene encouragement incidences of. sepsis came
down.
 In the 19th century Florence Nightingale came up with the
idea of infection reduction through spacing of beds and
 cont,’
 Viruses were discovered in the 18th century. This
discovery led to the improvement in public health.
 Drainage an sanitation began to be practiced on a more
scientific basis.
 Measures were taken to minimise nosocomial
infections and post surgical infections and vaccines
were discovered.
 Anti bacterial and viral drugs are being used to date.
 though there is no txt for HIV yet ARV drugs are used
and they prolong an individual’s life span.
Characteristics of micro organisms

 Like all other organisms they feed, breathe, eliminate

waste, reproduce and they grow.
Classification of microbes
• Protozoa – small single celled belonging to the lowest
division of the animal kingdom. There are 4 classes
1. Rhizoponda – move by means of pseudopodia eg E
histolytica which amoebic dysentery
2. Mastigophora – move by ftagella eg trichomonas
vaginalis which causes vaginal discharge.
1. Cont’
3 Ciliata – covered by short hairs called cilia by which
they move eg balantidia coli causing balantidiasis.
4 Sporozoa – a non motile organism that live
parasitically within the cells of a host animal e.g.
plasmodium species that causes malaria.

Classification can also be

 Whether they cause dizz or not i.e. infectious and non
infectious.
 Can be virus, fungi, bacteria and parasites.
Branches of microbiology

1. Bacteriology – study of bacteria

2. Virology – study of viruses
3. Mycology – study of characteristics of
fungi and yeasts
4. Parasitology – study of parasites