Mar 28, 2024  
Fall 2017 Catalog 
    
Fall 2017 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

ML 219 - Clinical Microbiology I Lab


Credit Hours: 1.5

An introductory clinical microbiology laboratory course emphasizing the hospital laboratory, technical skills and the theory of basic clinical microbiology procedures. Laboratory methods include the Gram stain procedure, preparation of culture media, aseptic technique, collection and handling of microbiological specimens and isolation and identification of pathogens from the upper respiratory tract, urinary tract, genital tract and intestinal tract . Basic procedures for culture and classification of medically significant fungi are also included.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Safety and Microscope:
    • discuss and follow the safety regulations in the microbiology laboratory;
    • demonstrate proper care in handling the microscope;
    • locate and describe the function of the parts of the compound light microscope;
    • use the microscope to observe prepared slides of blood cells; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • Bacterial Cell Morphology:
    • use the microscope to examine prepared slides of various microorganisms;
    • use correct bacteriological terminology to describe shapes and arrangements of bacteria; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • Media Preparation:
    • calculate the number of grams of dehydrated medium needed to prepare a specified volume of medium;
    • demonstrate the proper use of the balance for weighing out dehydrated powdered medium;
    • use a graduated cylinder to measure out specified volumes of water to dissolve the medium;
    • dissolve, dispense, and sterilize media as specified; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • Aseptic Technique:
    • describe procedures and principles of aseptic technique practiced in the microbiology laboratory;
    • use aseptic technique to transfer broth, agar slant, and agar plate cultures;
    • demonstrate proper technique for a streak plate culture for isolation of bacteria;
    • culture bacteria from various environmental sites; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • Examination of Cultures:
    • describe characteristics of microbial cultures;
    • examine cultures prepared by students and use proper terminology to describe colony characteristics; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • Smear Preparation and Staining:
    • prepare a wet mount, observe motility, and distinguish motility from Brownian movement and streaming;
    • describe the procedure for preparing smears from broth and agar media;
    • properly prepare smears from various specimens;
    • perform a simple stain and examine the smear;
    • perform a Gram stain using control cultures to check for accuracy and examine the smear;
    • describe other special stains and preparations and examine prepared smears; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • Control of Microbial Growth:
    • test the effectiveness of various antiseptic and disinfectant chemicals against test bacteria and interpret the results;
    • observe demonstration plates of antimicrobial susceptibility tests and interpret the results; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • Clinical Microbiology - Upper Respiratory Tract:
    • obtain a nasal and throat specimen for culture;
    • examine cultures and describe colony morphology;
    • differentiate Staphylococcus and Streptococcus genera by microscopy and catalase testing;
    • speciate Staphylococcus and Streptococcus by morphology and biochemical tests; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • Clinical Microbiology - Genitourinary Tract:
    • describe urinary samples for culture;
    • obtain a urine specimen for culture;
    • examine and interpret urine colony counts;
    • describe biochemical tests for differentiation of enteric bacteria;
    • observe demonstration slides of gonorrhea prepared from clinical specimens; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • DNA Fingerprinting:
    • develop an understanding of the basic scientific principles in the DNA fingerprinting methodology; and
    • weigh evidence, analyze, and interpret data generated in this procedure.
  • Mycology:
    • isolate fungi from the environment;
    • describe the classification of fungi and give examples of representative yeasts and molds;
    • observe macroscopic and microscopic morphology of representative yeasts and molds; and
    • complete laboratory reports as assigned.
  • Bacterial Unknown Identification:
    • inoculate appropriate plating media for assigned unknown organism or specimen;
    • incubate unknown using proper temperature and atmospheric conditions;
    • observe bacterial growth and perform Gram stain on isolated colonies;
    • determine and inoculate appropriate biochemical test media for organism identification; and
    • complete and hand in lab report.

 

Prerequisites: BI 147, BI 148
Corequisites: ML 218
F (N)