Pre-clinical medicine
Microbiology
Microbiology covers the bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that cause infection, and how they are diagnosed and treated. Some infections, such as HIV, syphilis and encephalitis, can directly cause psychiatric symptoms.
Depth by stage, Pre-U → Consultant (details)
What is it?
Medical microbiology teaches the main groups of micro-organisms, how they cause disease, how laboratories identify them and how they are treated with antimicrobials.
In Malaysia, students also learn locally important infections such as dengue, tuberculosis, leptospirosis, malaria and melioidosis, as well as infection prevention and antimicrobial resistance.
The subject is often taught alongside immunology and pathology in system-based blocks.
Why does a psychiatrist need it?
Infections can cause delirium, psychosis, personality change or dementia-like decline: HIV, neurosyphilis, viral and autoimmune encephalitis, and severe systemic infection in older people. Psychiatric inpatients also face infection risks in shared wards, and some psychiatric drugs interact with antimicrobials. Psychiatrists must know when to suspect infection and work with physicians to investigate.
What level is expected at each stage?
Scale: 1. Aware → 2. Understands → 3. Applies → 4. Masters / Teaches. What the levels mean.
- Pre-UNot expected
- Pre-clinicalUnderstandsUnderstands the main organisms, how they cause disease and how they are diagnosed.
- ClinicalUnderstandsUnderstands how common infections present and are treated.
- HousemanshipAppliesApplies infection knowledge daily: sepsis recognition, cultures, antibiotics, infection control.
- Medical officerUnderstandsUnderstands infection management relevant to the posting.
- Psych traineeAwareAware of infectious causes of psychiatric presentations and of antimicrobial interactions.
- Specialist / consultantAwareAware; refers and co-manages with infectious disease and medical colleagues.
What are the key topics?
Micro-organisms
- Bacteria: structure, classification and toxins
- Viruses: structure and replication
- Fungi and parasites
- Prions (link to rare dementias)
Infections of the nervous system
- Meningitis and encephalitis
- HIV and its neurocognitive effects
- Neurosyphilis
- Cerebral malaria and other tropical causes
Locally important infections
- Tuberculosis
- Dengue
- Leptospirosis
- Malaria and melioidosis
Diagnosis and treatment
- Specimen collection and culture
- Serology and PCR
- Antibiotic classes and resistance
- Antibiotic interactions with other drugs
Infection prevention
- Hand hygiene and standard precautions
- Vaccination
- Outbreak control in hospitals and institutions
How is it learned and assessed?
- Lectures, PBL and laboratory practicals
- MCQ, short-answer and practical exams
- Clinical exposure during medicine and paediatric postings
Typical textbooks and resources
- Medical Microbiology — Murray, Rosenthal and Pfaller (Elsevier)
- Mims' Medical Microbiology and Immunology — Elsevier
- Sherris and Ryan's Medical Microbiology — McGraw Hill
- Malaysian MOH antimicrobial and infection control guidelines
Titles are widely used examples; editions change. Use university libraries or legitimate purchases.
Common questions
Can infections cause mental illness symptoms?
Yes. Infections affecting the brain, such as encephalitis, HIV or syphilis, can cause confusion, psychosis, mood change or memory problems. Even infections elsewhere in the body can cause delirium in older people.
Do psychiatrists treat infections?
Not usually. They recognise when infection might be the cause and work with medical colleagues who investigate and treat it.