A Textbook of Human Microbes and Parasites: A Quick Reference to Paramedics, Biologists and Biotechnologists (Paperback - 2017)

Human microbes are microorganisms that reside in human bodies, on or within tissues and biofluids, including the skin, mammary glands, seminal fluid, ovarian follicles, lungs, saliva, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, and gastrointestinal tracts. They include bacteria, fungi, and archaea. Human parasites are various protozoa and worms which may infect humans, causing parasitic diseases. Phenomenal growth of laboratories in recent times, with aseptic and hygienic conditions, has led to precise identification of microbes and parasites. In addition, the development in the disciplines of human microbes and human parasites has resulted in the contribution to scientific knowledge and human welfare in many other ways.

The book is a study that deals with microbes and parasites that infect humans, the diseases they cause, as well as their diagnosis, prevention and treatment. It also deals with the response of the human host to the infection of microbes and parasites. Special emphasis is on salient features of human microbes and parasites, pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis and clinical symptoms, explained with the help of neatly labeled diagrams.

It covers most of the topics related to human parasites and microbes and will ably serve the needs of students of Medical Pathology in general and Medical Laboratory Technology, as also graduates and postgraduates in Zoology, Life Science, Nursing, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Community medicine, Social science, Clinical biochemistry, and Medical Microbiology. It will also help Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) which deal with public health in particular.

Prof. P. Venkatesan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. and D.Sc. from the University of Madras, retired as Associate Professor in Zoology at Loyola College, Chennai after 37 years of teaching and guiding research in the field of Medical Laboratory Technology and Aquatic Entomology. After his retirement, he was awarded Professor Emeritus by UGC for two years. He has been the principal investigator for several major research projects supported by government’s scientific agencies. He has published over a hundred research papers and five books. He has delivered invited lectures in national and international conferences in India and abroad.

Dr. Venkatesan was the course director for Medical Laboratory Technology at Loyola College since its inception in 1978, and is the founder of the course, P.G. Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology. He was instrumental in bringing M.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology in 2003 and M.Sc. Biomedical Instrumentation Science in 2004 at Loyola College.

Presently, he is the Principal of Shri Academy for Paramedical Education, Chennai, providing Diploma courses in Medical Laboratory Technology, promoted by Govt. of India.

Prof. G. Surendra Babu completed his MBBS from Thanjavur Medical College, Tamil Nadu. During his studies, he was awarded gold medal in Anatomy and Certificates in Pathology and Forensic Medicine. Later, he completed his master’s degree in Medicine from Stanley Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu that awarded him gold medal for his highest performance in Madras University in 1982. He has attended many national and international conferences in India and abroad.

Presently, he is the Senior Consultant Physician, Keerthana Nursing Home, T.V. Koil, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India.