Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology

Diagnostic microbiology is not simply about identifying an organism. It is about turning the right specimen, method, and interpretation into an answer that can guide patient care.

Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology: A Practical Text for the Clinical Laboratory and the Bedside connects core microbiology with the decisions made in clinical laboratories. Written for medical laboratory scientists, pathology and infectious diseases trainees, students, and clinicians, it explains how diagnostic methods work, where they fail, and how results should be interpreted in the context of the organism, specimen site, and patient.

Inside, readers will explore:

• Microbial structure, physiology, genetics, pathogenesis, and host defence
• Biosafety, infection control, quality management, specimen collection, transport, and processing
• Microscopy, culture, biochemical identification, immunologic testing, PCR, sequencing, and MALDI-TOF
• Antimicrobial resistance, susceptibility testing, breakpoints, reporting, and stewardship
• Clinically significant bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses
• Laboratory diagnosis of respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, genital, skin, CNS, bloodstream, zoonotic, and other infections
• Diagnostic challenges in neonates, pregnant patients, immunocompromised individuals, older adults, and returning travellers