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Bailey & Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology
SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse. A Brandon/Hill Allied Health List firstpurchase title. Major clinical textbook/reference for laboratory science students and practitioners. Previous c1994, edited by E.J. Baron. Extensive bibliographies and illlustrations. 4 U.S. contributors. Microbiological Techniques.
1074 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 9, 2018
good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2011
Writing a review for a textbook is a rather more difficult task than writing for movies or novels for me. I cannot think of an appropriate format to present my ideas, so allow me to dissect the book according to the principal parts of the textbook.
The book is divided into eight (8) great parts. This review will focus on these sections first before taking on the book in its entirety.
Part I: Basic Medical Microbiology
The section on microbial taxonomy, which is the beginning, presents only the fundamentals as this isn't the focus of the book. That on genetics and metabolism is as detailed (but not to the molecular level) as can be found in higher biochemistry and general microbiology books.
Part II: General Principles in Clinical Microbiology
The sequence of information is such that an outline (bulleted notes, if you wish) derived from the chapters will not be a pain to understand. As the heading goes, general information pertinent to the practice in the clinical setting are found.
Part III: BACTERIOLOGY
The three new chapters added in this edition are particularly useful. The diagrams (Bacterial Identification Flow Charts and Schemes), for example, that begin this great section is a very essential tool and MUST be studied side-by-side as the different clinically relevant genera are discussed in detail.
If one plans to work in a laboratory that performs traditional culture and sensitivity, he may find the tables on the culture media, etc., handy. For those who are working in automated laboratories, the information presented in the Principles section may be convenient when troubleshooting (e.g., situations wherein the machine cannot identify properly the colonies [of course, before consulting Bailey & Scott's, the reader is encouraged to consult the manuals first]). And for the preparation of traditional culture media, he is referred to other books dedicated on the subject.
The suggested algorithms in the isolation and identification of bacteria to the species level are not "absolute", however. I mean to say that each institution has its own set of standard operating procedures and may not follow the recommendations of this textbook. Moreover, the species distribution vary with place and season. In some locations, strains of a species may develop characteristics that may complicate identification and require revision of procedures. A great example of this variability are the antimicrobial susceptibilities of bacterial strains. The reader is referred to standards set by the institution he is affiliated with.
Part IV: PARASITOLOGY
The discussion on the commonly encountered parasites is comprehensive. Important data are tabulated for quick reference. Not only can this section be a useful reference for laboratory technicians (especially the specimen preparation part) but also for teachers and for physicians who haven't been much exposed to these cases in the course of their practice.
Part V: MYCOLOGY
This section includes the commonly encountered fungi. The discussion is rather brief. There are diagrams, pictures and tables for quick reference.
Part VI: VIROLOGY
Focus is given on preference of specimen and detection methods both practical and economical, and complex. The technical details of the more complex procedures like real-time polymerase chain reaction are left out as the principles of these methods vary among manufacturers.
Part VII: Diagnosis by Organ System
More like an encapsulation and application of concepts from the preceding chapters, this is a fitting section for a textbook aiming to help formulate proper diagnoses from microbial infections. Greater emphasis is given on the pre-analytic variables such as patient and specimen preparation. Little tidbits of anatomy and physiology are also injected for better understanding. Because data are arranged based on organ system, the concepts are more readily grasped as they are "glued together to form the bigger picture."
Part VIII: Clinical Laboratory Management
An interesting addition to the twelfth edition is a short chapter on the role of the laboratory in bioterrorism. That on management is simplified and the topics are relevant to the practice. Again, there are suggested guidelines in the text that institutions may not apply.
THE BOOK IN ITS ENTIRETY
So far, this is my most favorite microbiology that is not over-simplified but not too technical to be comprehensible. The presentation is practical and convenient for easy troubleshooting in the laboratory (non-automated matters). What I also appreciate in this book are the case studies at the end of each chapter.
In conclusion, the twelfth edition of Diagnostic Microbiology is an excellent reference for laboratory technicians, a superb supplementary material for the physician and other healthcare workers.
The book is divided into eight (8) great parts. This review will focus on these sections first before taking on the book in its entirety.
Part I: Basic Medical Microbiology
The section on microbial taxonomy, which is the beginning, presents only the fundamentals as this isn't the focus of the book. That on genetics and metabolism is as detailed (but not to the molecular level) as can be found in higher biochemistry and general microbiology books.
Part II: General Principles in Clinical Microbiology
The sequence of information is such that an outline (bulleted notes, if you wish) derived from the chapters will not be a pain to understand. As the heading goes, general information pertinent to the practice in the clinical setting are found.
Part III: BACTERIOLOGY
The three new chapters added in this edition are particularly useful. The diagrams (Bacterial Identification Flow Charts and Schemes), for example, that begin this great section is a very essential tool and MUST be studied side-by-side as the different clinically relevant genera are discussed in detail.
If one plans to work in a laboratory that performs traditional culture and sensitivity, he may find the tables on the culture media, etc., handy. For those who are working in automated laboratories, the information presented in the Principles section may be convenient when troubleshooting (e.g., situations wherein the machine cannot identify properly the colonies [of course, before consulting Bailey & Scott's, the reader is encouraged to consult the manuals first]). And for the preparation of traditional culture media, he is referred to other books dedicated on the subject.
The suggested algorithms in the isolation and identification of bacteria to the species level are not "absolute", however. I mean to say that each institution has its own set of standard operating procedures and may not follow the recommendations of this textbook. Moreover, the species distribution vary with place and season. In some locations, strains of a species may develop characteristics that may complicate identification and require revision of procedures. A great example of this variability are the antimicrobial susceptibilities of bacterial strains. The reader is referred to standards set by the institution he is affiliated with.
Part IV: PARASITOLOGY
The discussion on the commonly encountered parasites is comprehensive. Important data are tabulated for quick reference. Not only can this section be a useful reference for laboratory technicians (especially the specimen preparation part) but also for teachers and for physicians who haven't been much exposed to these cases in the course of their practice.
Part V: MYCOLOGY
This section includes the commonly encountered fungi. The discussion is rather brief. There are diagrams, pictures and tables for quick reference.
Part VI: VIROLOGY
Focus is given on preference of specimen and detection methods both practical and economical, and complex. The technical details of the more complex procedures like real-time polymerase chain reaction are left out as the principles of these methods vary among manufacturers.
Part VII: Diagnosis by Organ System
More like an encapsulation and application of concepts from the preceding chapters, this is a fitting section for a textbook aiming to help formulate proper diagnoses from microbial infections. Greater emphasis is given on the pre-analytic variables such as patient and specimen preparation. Little tidbits of anatomy and physiology are also injected for better understanding. Because data are arranged based on organ system, the concepts are more readily grasped as they are "glued together to form the bigger picture."
Part VIII: Clinical Laboratory Management
An interesting addition to the twelfth edition is a short chapter on the role of the laboratory in bioterrorism. That on management is simplified and the topics are relevant to the practice. Again, there are suggested guidelines in the text that institutions may not apply.
THE BOOK IN ITS ENTIRETY
So far, this is my most favorite microbiology that is not over-simplified but not too technical to be comprehensible. The presentation is practical and convenient for easy troubleshooting in the laboratory (non-automated matters). What I also appreciate in this book are the case studies at the end of each chapter.
In conclusion, the twelfth edition of Diagnostic Microbiology is an excellent reference for laboratory technicians, a superb supplementary material for the physician and other healthcare workers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews