Microbiology: Laboratory Theory and Application, Third Edition

Book Preface

This third edition in many ways is like another first edition. We have added 20 new exercises, incorporated four more exercises from MLTA Brief Edition, and have substantially rewritten several others. Every exercise has been screened and updated for better clarity, comprehensiveness, and appropriate placement in the manual. We have added three more of the boxed “A Word About . . .” features to offer expanded introductory material in Sections 4, 5, and 8. Finally, we replaced many older photographs, and perhaps most important, employed a new artist to update the illustrations and enhance the overall beauty of the book.

Following are major features of each section.

– Introduction As in previous editions, the Introduction emphasizes safety. Refinements include chemical safety awareness and examples of organisms to be handled at each BSL level.
– Section 1 Fundamental Skills Exercise 1-1 (The Glo-Germâ„¢ Hand Wash Education System) was brought over from the Brief Edition. This is a fun, eye-opening lab exercise, raising consciousness about how easily the “unseen” can be overlooked. In Exercise 1-4 (Streak Plate Method of Isolation) we introduce alternative methods for streaking.
– Section 2 Microbial Growth Exercises 2-5 (Evaluation of Media) and 2-12 (Steam Sterilization) have been added from the Brief Edition. Exercise 2-11 (The Effect of Osmotic Pressure on Microbial Growth) has been rewritten to include Halobacterium. Exercise 2-13 (The Lethal Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation on Microbial Growth) has been renamed, and the procedure simplified.
– Section 3 Microscopy and Staining Exercise 3-1 (Introduction to the Light Microscope) has been rewritten to include an activity using the “Letter e” slide and the “Colored Thread” slide, both of which provide opportunities for novice microscopists to learn more about how to operate the light microscope. Two new labs, Exercise 3-4 (Microscopic Examination of Pond Water) and Exercise 3-11 (Parasporal Crystal Stain), round out the changes for this section.
– Section 4 Selective Media This section has been updated for greater clarity and to address reviewers’ concerns. The boxed item “A Word About Selective Media” has been added as an adjunct to the Section introduction, and Bile Esculin Test (Exercise 4-3) has been moved from Section 5 to Selective Media for the Isolation of Gram-Positive Cocci.
– Section 5 Differential Tests This section has seen some reorganization and the addition of new material. The boxed item “A Word About Biochemical Tests and Acid-Base Reactions,” has been added to supplement the introduction and help students better understand the recurring theme of fermentation seen in differential media. Following the introductory material, the section begins with an exercise demonstrating Reduction Potential. It is designed to be an easy and fun introduction to the concept of energy transformations in redox reactions, the understanding of which can be applied to many exercises that follow. Novobiocin and Optochin susceptibility tests have been moved from Gram-positive coccus identification and combined with Bacitracin (Exercise 5-24) in the Antibacterial Susceptibility Testing subsection. Because of popular demand to include both Kligler Iron Agar and Triple Sugar Iron Agar in the Combination Differ ential Media subsection, we have written an exercise (5-21) that can be used with either or both media.
– Section 6 Quantitative Techniques In an ongoing effort to help students understand the dilutions and calculations necessary in quantitative techniques (and to simplify the terminology), we have rewritten the introduction to this section and the theory portion of Exercise 6-1 (Standard Plate Count). The terms “dilution factor” and “final dilution factor” associated with dilutions and platings have been replaced with “dilution” and “sample volume,” respectively. We hope this helps.
– Section 7 Medical Microbiology In this section we have added one new lab demonstrating clinical biofilms (Exercise 7-4). Exercise 7-3 (Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) has been rewritten with new antibiotics and an optional exercise to demonstrate the difference between bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal agents. Last, Exercise 7-9