Medical Microbiology

The medical microbiology team at UC Irvine School of Medicine is organized into subspecialty sections staffed by highly skilled clinical laboratory scientists.

Trainees will be exposed to the following testing service areas:

• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• Bacteriology (aerobic and anaerobic)
• Molecular microbiology
• Mycobacteriology
• Mycology
• Parasitology
• Serology

Bacteriology

In the bacteriology section, aerobic and anaerobic organisms from human body fluids and tissues are identified. The team performs antimicrobial susceptibility testing using automated and manual methods. Mycobacteria species are identified using traditional culture and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

Mycology

In the mycology area, direct examinations, culture, biochemical and MALDI-TOF MS methods are used to identify clinically relevant fungi and yeast. The team processes parasitology specimens using direct and concentration procedures, which are evaluated using wet mounts and permanent stains.

Microbiology

The microbiology molecular section performs a range of diagnostic nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). The serology section has been incorporated with methods to detect antibodies and antigens important to the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.

Antibiotic Susceptibility

Antibiotic susceptibility trends at UC Irvine Medical Center can be found on the UCI Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Program page.