Bacteriology: The science and study of bacteria and their relation to medicine and to other areas

such as agriculture (e.g., farm animals) and industry. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms
which can live as independent organisms or, dependently, as parasites. Among the better known
bacteria are strep, staph, and the agents oftuberculosis and leprosy.

Bacteriology is a part of microbiology which encompasses the study of bacteria, viruses, and all
other sorts of microorganisms.

Scope of bacteriology in nursing

Basic knowledge of microbiology and parasitology are required in the field of nursing due to the
following reasons:

• One must have an idea of how infections spread

• Which surfaces are most susceptible to infectious agents
• How do you keep instruments aseptic and contaminant-free
• Recognize the symptoms of an infection
• How to carefully take care of an open wound without infecting it
• Recognize the type of infection as soon as it occurs
• make an idea about spreading of infection
• know about the surfaces which are susceptable to infectious agent
• keep instruments asceptic
• recoganise symptoms of an infection
• to take kare of an open wound
• recoganise the type of infection at its early stage

Requirements of growth of micro-organism

Complex Nutrients
Microorganisms utilize nitrogen and carbon through the addition of peptones, beef extract, and
yeast extract to culture media. Specific nutritional requirements for different microorganisms
vary greatly, but every microorganism requires sources of carbon, nitrogen, inorganic phosphate,
sulfur, trace metals, water, and vitamins.
All of these requirements also comprise a satisfactory microbiological culture medium.
Buffering agents, indicators of pH change, selective agents, and agar are also added.
Proper pH
A large number of culture media are prepared with a final neutral pH of 7.2 ± 2. The
microorganisms that prefer a neutral pH are referred to as neutrophiles, or neutral-loving
microorganisms. The bulk of human pathogens are within this group. Acidophiles, or acid-loving
microorganisms, prefer a pH of 0.0 – 5.4. Yeast and molds are acidophiles. Alkalinophiles,
alkali-loving microorganisms, are viable in a pH of 7.0 – 11.5.
Vibrio cholerae is an alkalinophile.
Appropriate Temperature
Mesophilic bacteria and fungi have optimal growth at temperatures of 25 - 40°C. The vast
majority of human pathogens are mesophilic, because they prefer body temperature.
Thermophilic microorganisms (heat-loving) grow at temperatures greater than 45°C. Bacillus
stearothermophilus is an example of a thermophilic microorganism, and can be found in hot
spring beds. Psychrophilic microorganisms grow at temperatures below 20°C. Listeria spp. are
psychrophilic microorganisms, and can be isolated from ice cream and other dairy products.
Gases
Obligate aerobes require the presence of oxygen to grow. Anaerobes grow only in the absence of
oxygen.
Microaerophiles prefer partial anaerobic conditions, and facultative anaerobes are capable of
growing in the presence or absence of oxygen. Many microorganisms require an environment of
5 - 10% CO2.
Moisture
Proper moisture conditions are important for proper microorganism growth. Water must be able
to flow freely in and out of cells for transfer of nutrients and waste products. Evaporation during
incubation or storage results in loss of water and microorganism reduction.
To support microorganism growth in the laboratory, it is necessary to establish conditions that
will permit organism reproduction. All microorganisms require the following to remain viable
and grow on culture media: