Microbiology is the name given to the branch that studies small living things called microorganisms, many of which can only be seen under a microscope. Many of these microorganisms cause diseases in humans. We can give examples of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. In the Microbiology Laboratory, which is a unit of Meltem Hospital Laboratory, these microorganisms can be examined and the diseases occurring in people can be determined.

Diseases caused by these tiny creatures invisible to the naked eye are generally called Infection (Contagious Disease). Tens of thousands of different microorganisms appear as disease agents.

In this unit, direct and indirect tests for infectious microorganisms are performed. In the laboratory, tests are performed on patients’ blood, all kinds of body fluids, tissue samples, urine and feces, and various other samples to guide the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of infectious diseases. Subunits include bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology and serology departments.

Bacteriology; It is the acquisition and identification of bacteria that cause infection in humans and the determination of their antibiotic susceptibility. (Typhoid, cholera, bacteria that cause throat infections, etc.)

Virology: Diagnostic tests for viruses that cause disease in humans (HPV, etc.)

Mycology; Obtaining and identifying fungi that cause human disease and testing their sensitivity to antifungals (fungicides).

Parasitology; Search for parasites and parasite eggs in feces, urine and some other body fluids.

Serology: Antibody-based diagnostic method in infectious diseases

The main tests performed in the microbiology laboratory are as follows: Culture tests, bacterial identification tests, antibiotic and antifungal sensitivity tests, antibiotic resistance studies, direct microscopic examinations, dyed preparation examinations, search for parasite eggs in feces, antigen screening tests, antibody tests (serological tests), PCR ( Molecular diagnostic tests, including the Polymerized Chain Reaction test

When microbiology laboratory is mentioned, the first tests that come to mind are culture, bacterial identification and antibiotic sensitivity tests. These tests are carried out in our laboratory, in accordance with international standards and using an automation system. With this system, bacteria are identified at a more advanced level than with classical methods, and information about resistance mechanisms that cannot be revealed is also obtained. This makes very important contributions to the treatment of infections. In particular, this information is very important to cope with infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria that cause nosocomial infections.