A historical view of the specialty of clinical microbiology

• Published in: Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica Vol. 28 Suppl 3; p. 3
• Main Authors: Pérez, Evelio Perea, Álvarez, Rogelio Martín
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.10.2010
• Subjects: Congresses as Topic; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Infection Control - history; Microbiology - education; Microbiology - history; Spain; Spain
• ISSN: 1578-1852
• DOI: 10.1016/S0213-005X(10)70013-6

Clinical microbiology today is a well established specialty in Spain whose development has necessarily been linked to improvements in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Over time, clinical, teaching, and research structures have been organized around these diseases. In addition, a scientific society for specialists in infectious diseases (Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica) has been set up, which in turn, publishes the journal ENFERMEDADES INFECCIOSAS Y MICROBIOLOGÍA CLÍNICA, and organizes congresses, meetings, working groups and a quality control program, etc. Clinical microbiologists will continue to be needed to meet future challenges (identification of new pathogenic microorganisms, methodological changes, diagnostic quality and speed, nosocomial infections, the development of antimicrobial resistance, etc.), which constitute a well-defined area of knowledge specific to our specialty.