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Microbiology in clinical practice
Journal of Hospital Infection (1982) 3,404-406
Book reviews Microbiology in Clinical Sons. E10.75.
Practice.
Shanson,
D. C. Bristol.
John Wright
&
When junior medical staff had to examine their own emergency microbiological specimens, there was a need for all medical students to be instructed in the appropriate technical skills. Today, with the demise of the ward sideroom and the availability of ‘on call’ laboratory staff, the emphasis has moved from technical competence to the clinical diagnostic aspects of infection. These changes have not always been reflected in the available texts on microbiology, and one can sympathise with Professor Speller’s comments in the foreword that ‘those who teach clinical microbiology are often at a loss to recommend a general book on the subject’. Dr Shanson has taken full account of recent trends and has produced a book which will serve the needs of medical students, house staff and those studying for higher clinical examinations. The book is divided into two sections, the first section deals with the principles of microbiology. After a necessary chapter on the classification of microorganisms, due attention is given to the often neglected subject of ‘Use of the Microbiology Laboratory’. The sound advice on the importance of collecting the right specimen at the right time and ensuring that it arrives fresh at the laboratory, accompanied by relevant information, would benefit most clinicians. Basic microbiological methods are given in an appendix, together with the basics of virological investigations. The section is completed by a chapter on antimicrobial chemotherapy which includes a useful page outlining why such therapy may fail. The second section covers ‘specific clinical topics’ which are variously selected by speciality, organism or anatomical site. Where the system leads to repetition it is acknowledged and not obtrusive. Minor criticisms of detail may be made, for example, in typhoid fever, the pyrexia frequently takes longer than the stated two to five days to settle on treatment, and the units for C.S.F. protein are different in the text and tables. However, the text is comprehensive and a useful list of references accompanies each chapter for the student who wishes to examine a topic in greater detail. Although Dr Shanson applies his experience of infection control in a valuable chapter on ‘Hospital Infection’, more prominence could possibly have been given to this subject, perhaps, by creating a third section to the text. This monograph should be welcomed by students of medicine and their tutors, hopefully in stressing the clinical nature of the speciality, it will also engender some enthusiasm for the subject of ‘Medical Microbiology’. A. P. Gillett
019%701/82/040404
Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire + 03 $02.00/O
Q 1982 The Hospital
404
Infection
Society
Book reviews Microbiology in Clinical Sons. E10.75.
Practice.
Shanson,
D. C. Bristol.
John Wright
&
When junior medical staff had to examine their own emergency microbiological specimens, there was a need for all medical students to be instructed in the appropriate technical skills. Today, with the demise of the ward sideroom and the availability of ‘on call’ laboratory staff, the emphasis has moved from technical competence to the clinical diagnostic aspects of infection. These changes have not always been reflected in the available texts on microbiology, and one can sympathise with Professor Speller’s comments in the foreword that ‘those who teach clinical microbiology are often at a loss to recommend a general book on the subject’. Dr Shanson has taken full account of recent trends and has produced a book which will serve the needs of medical students, house staff and those studying for higher clinical examinations. The book is divided into two sections, the first section deals with the principles of microbiology. After a necessary chapter on the classification of microorganisms, due attention is given to the often neglected subject of ‘Use of the Microbiology Laboratory’. The sound advice on the importance of collecting the right specimen at the right time and ensuring that it arrives fresh at the laboratory, accompanied by relevant information, would benefit most clinicians. Basic microbiological methods are given in an appendix, together with the basics of virological investigations. The section is completed by a chapter on antimicrobial chemotherapy which includes a useful page outlining why such therapy may fail. The second section covers ‘specific clinical topics’ which are variously selected by speciality, organism or anatomical site. Where the system leads to repetition it is acknowledged and not obtrusive. Minor criticisms of detail may be made, for example, in typhoid fever, the pyrexia frequently takes longer than the stated two to five days to settle on treatment, and the units for C.S.F. protein are different in the text and tables. However, the text is comprehensive and a useful list of references accompanies each chapter for the student who wishes to examine a topic in greater detail. Although Dr Shanson applies his experience of infection control in a valuable chapter on ‘Hospital Infection’, more prominence could possibly have been given to this subject, perhaps, by creating a third section to the text. This monograph should be welcomed by students of medicine and their tutors, hopefully in stressing the clinical nature of the speciality, it will also engender some enthusiasm for the subject of ‘Medical Microbiology’. A. P. Gillett
019%701/82/040404
Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire + 03 $02.00/O
Q 1982 The Hospital
404
Infection
Society