UNIT -1st Introduction to Microbiology

Introduction and Concept

Microbiology is the branch of life science that studies very small organisms (microbes) which
cannot be seen without a microscope. A specialist in this field is called a microbiologist.

Microorganisms include bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, protozoa, helminths, and viruses.

Prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) → simple, no true nucleus.

Eukaryotes (fungi, algae, protozoa, helminths) → have true nucleus.

Viruses → not cellular, but need a host to survive.

Microbes are present everywhere – in humans, animals, soil, water, plants, and air. They can
be harmful (cause infections and diseases) or helpful (fertilize soil, produce medicines,
decompose waste, form useful products like alcohol and antibiotics).

The term “microbiology” was introduced by Louis Pasteur, known as the Father of Modern
Microbiology. He showed that fermentation happens because of yeast.

Terminologies-

Aerobes – microbes that need oxygen.

Anaerobes – microbes that grow without oxygen.

Autotrophic – organisms that make their own food from simple substances.

Heterotrophic – organisms that need complex food from outside.

Bacteria – most common microbes; some useful, some cause disease.

Fungi – include yeast, molds, mushrooms.

Protozoa – single-celled, animal-like organisms.

Algae – plant-like microbes, mostly useful.

Virus – tiny particle, lives only inside a host.

Prion – infectious protein (e.g., mad cow disease).

Infection – invasion of harmful microbes in the body.

Inflammation – body’s reaction to infection (redness, pain, swelling, pus).

Fomite – objects that spread infection (clothes, utensils, instruments).

Vector – living carrier (e.g., mosquito).

Resident Flora – normal microbes in body that are usually harmless.

Transient Flora – temporary microbes picked up from the environment.

Nosocomial Infection – infection acquired in hospitals.

Opportunistic Microbe – causes disease when body resistance is low.

Primary/Secondary Infection – first or later infections.

Systemic Infection – spreads throughout the body.

Local Infection – limited to one area.

Toxins – poisons produced by microbes.

Historical Perspective of Microbiology

The development of microbiology can be divided into five main eras:

1) Discovery Era (Before 1857)

Anton van Leeuwenhoek – First person to see microbes using a simple microscope. He
called them “animalcules.”

Francesco Redi – Proved that life does not come from non-living things (disproved
spontaneous generation).

Edward Jenner – Developed the first vaccine for smallpox in 1796.

Spallanzani – Showed that boiling kills microbes and sealing prevents their growth.

Note -This era was about the existence of microbes and proving they do not come from thin
air.

2) Transition Era (1857–1876)

Louis Pasteur – Showed that microbes cause fermentation and spoil food. Disproved
spontaneous generation with his swan-neck flask. Made vaccines for rabies and anthrax.

Joseph Lister – Introduced antiseptic surgery using carbolic acid to prevent infection.
Note -This era gave scientific proof that microbes cause diseases and fermentation.

3) Golden Era (1876–1900)

Robert Koch – Proved that specific microbes cause specific diseases (anthrax, TB, cholera).
Developed Koch’s Postulates.

Hans Christian Gram – Invented Gram staining to identify bacteria.

Petri and Hesse – Created Petri dishes and used agar for growing microbes.

Note -Called “golden” because many disease-causing microbes were discovered and lab
techniques improved.

4) Era of Chemotherapy and Microbial Genetics (1900–1970s)

Paul Ehrlich – Developed the first drug (Salvarsan) to treat syphilis.

Alexander Fleming – Discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic.

Selman Waksman – Discovered streptomycin for TB.

Watson and Crick – Found the structure of DNA, leading to microbial genetics.

Note -This era focused on drugs, antibiotics, and studying the genes of microbes.

5) Modern Era (1970s–Present)

Recombinant DNA Technology – Microbes used to produce insulin, hormones, and vaccines.

Genomics – Study of microbial DNA for health and research.

Biotechnology – Using microbes for biofuels, waste treatment, and the food industry.

Medical Advances – New vaccines (like COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) and targeted therapies.

Microbiome Studies – Understanding the role of normal microbes in human health.

Antibiotic Resistance – A big challenge today due to misuse of antibiotics.

Note -This era shows microbes are important not just in disease but also in medicine,
environment, and industry.

Importance and Relevance to Nursing

Nursing microbiology means using knowledge of microorganisms in patient care. Nurses

need this knowledge to give safe and effective care.
1) To Prevent Spread of Infection

Nurses must know how germs enter, spread, and leave the body. This helps them stop
diseases from spreading in hospitals and the community. For example, in tuberculosis, a
negative pressure room prevents infection from spreading.

2) To Maintain Sterile Field

Creating and keeping a sterile environment is very important. Nurses must know sterilisation
techniques, hand washing, and biomedical waste disposal. Proper waste segregation
prevents pollution and infection.

3) To Collect Specimens

Correct collection of samples (blood, stool, pus, etc.) ensures accurate lab results. Wrong
methods can give false reports.

4) To Implement Immunisation Schedule

Nurses give vaccines and maintain the cold chain. They must know about immunisation
schedules and vaccine handling.

Application in Health Settings

Infectious Disease Wards – Prevent cross-infection.

Burn Unit – Prevent wound contamination.

Operation Theatre – Maintain sterility through fumigation and aseptic methods.

Obstetric Units – Prevent infection during and after childbirth.

ICU/Nursery – Maintain sterile equipment and environment.

Central Sterilisation Unit (CSSU) – Ensure proper sterilisation and waste disposal.

Scope of Microbiology

Microbiology has a wide scope in healthcare, pharmacy, and industry.

1) Production of Useful Products

Microbes help in making antibiotics, vaccines, enzymes, bio-surfactants, alcohol, and other
medicines.

2) Diagnosis and Treatment

Laboratory tests like Widal test, ELISA, and culture help detect microbes. Antibiotic
sensitivity tests guide proper treatment.

3) Waste Management

Microbes break down industrial and organic wastes, reducing pollution.

4) Plant Growth Promotion

Soil microbes like Rhizobium and Azotobacter improve fertility, crop yield, and resistance to
pests.

5) Sterile Product Preparation

Microbiology is important in preparing sterile rooms, aseptic techniques, and sterility testing
for pharmaceutical products.

6) Steroid Biotransformation

Microbes help produce important steroids like progesterone and testosterone through
biotransformation.

7) Identification of Microorganisms

Different tests identify microbes for making drugs, vaccines, and enzymes.

8) Testing of Pharmaceuticals

Pharmacopoeias (IP, BP, USP, EP) describe methods to test raw materials and medicines for
harmful microbes, endotoxins, and sterility. Disinfectants and preservatives are also tested.

Principle of microbiology

1. Microorganisms are everywhere – They live in soil, water, air, and inside living beings.
2. They are very small – Most microbes can only be seen under a microscope.
3. They can be useful or harmful – Some cause diseases, while others help in food,
medicine, and environment.
4. They grow and reproduce fast – Under right conditions, microbes multiply quickly.
5. They need nutrients, moisture, and suitable temperature – Just like other living organisms.
6. They can adapt – Many microbes survive in extreme conditions like heat, cold, or lack of
oxygen.
7. They interact with hosts – Some live harmlessly (normal flora), while others cause
infection.
8. They can be controlled – By sterilization, disinfection, antibiotics, and vaccines.