Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria: A Comprehensive Guide for Medical Microbiologists
If you are a medical microbiologist, you probably know how important it is to identify bacteria accurately and efficiently. Bacteria are responsible for many diseases and infections, and knowing their characteristics, classification, and behavior can help you diagnose, treat, and prevent them. But how do you identify bacteria in the laboratory? What tools and resources do you need?
One of the most useful and widely used resources for medical microbiologists is Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria. This manual is a standard and internationally recognized reference book that provides detailed information on how to isolate, characterize, and identify medically important bacteria. It covers both conventional and modern methods, such as culture media, staining, biochemical tests, molecular techniques, computerized systems, and quality control. It also includes appendices on various topics related to bacterial identification, such as nomenclature, taxonomy, test organisms, media preparation, computer use, and more.
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In this article, we will give you an overview of Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria, its history, content, benefits, and how to use it. We will also show you how to download it for free in PDF format from reliable sources. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of this valuable resource and how it can help you in your work as a medical microbiologist.
History of Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria
Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria was first published in 1965 by S.T. Cowan and J.M. Steel, two eminent British microbiologists who worked at the Public Health Laboratory Service in London. They compiled and revised the manual based on their extensive experience and knowledge in bacterial identification. They aimed to provide a practical and comprehensive guide for medical microbiologists who needed to identify bacteria from clinical specimens.
The first edition of the manual was well received by the scientific community and became a popular reference book in many laboratories around the world. It contained information on over 400 species of bacteria, along with tables, charts, diagrams, illustrations, keys, flowcharts, and algorithms to facilitate identification. It also included an introduction on bacterial classification and nomenclature, as well as appendices on culture media, staining methods, characterization tests, test organisms, identicards, computers, quality control, etc.
The second edition of the manual was published in 1974 by Cowan and Steel with some revisions and updates. It incorporated new developments in bacterial taxonomy, such as numerical phenetics and molecular genetics. It also added new sections on rapid test methods, automated systems, computerized identification programs, etc. It expanded the coverage of bacteria to over 500 species.
The third edition of the manual was published in 1993 by G.I. Barrow and R.K.A. Feltham, who edited and revised it based on Cowan and Steel's original work. They updated the manual with new information on new bacterial species, new identification methods, new molecular techniques, new computer programs, etc. They also revised the tables, charts, diagrams, illustrations, keys, flowcharts, and algorithms to make them more user-friendly and accurate. They maintained the original format and style of the manual, but added some new features, such as a glossary of terms, a list of abbreviations, a bibliography of references, etc. The fourth and latest edition of the manual was published in 2004 by Barrow and Feltham with further revisions and updates. They incorporated the latest advances in bacterial taxonomy, such as phylogenetic analysis and genomic sequencing. They also added new sections on emerging pathogens, bioterrorism agents, antimicrobial resistance, etc. They updated the information on over 700 species of bacteria, along with their identification methods and characteristics. They also improved the quality and clarity of the tables, charts, diagrams, illustrations, keys, flowcharts, and algorithms to make them more accessible and reliable. They preserved the original structure and content of the manual, but enhanced it with some new features, such as a preface, an index of bacteria, a list of suppliers, a website address, etc. Content of Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria
Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria is divided into four main parts:
Part 1: Introduction. This part provides an overview of the manual and its purpose. It explains the principles and methods of bacterial identification, as well as the classification and nomenclature of bacteria. It also describes the general characteristics and properties of bacteria that are relevant for identification.
Part 2: Identification Methods. This part describes the various methods and techniques that are used to isolate, characterize, and identify bacteria from clinical specimens. It covers both conventional and modern methods, such as culture media, staining, biochemical tests, serological tests, molecular tests, automated systems, computerized systems, etc. It also provides guidance on how to interpret and report the results of identification.
Part 3: Identification Tables. This part presents the detailed information on how to identify over 700 species of medically important bacteria. It consists of tables that contain the essential data on each bacterial species or group, such as morphology, gram reaction, oxygen requirement, motility, spore formation, catalase production, oxidase production, fermentation patterns, enzyme activities, antigenic properties, etc. It also includes keys, flowcharts, and algorithms that help the user to narrow down the possible identification options based on the results of the tests.
Part 4: Appendices. This part contains supplementary information that supports and complements the identification process. It includes appendices on various topics related to bacterial identification, such as nomenclature rules, taxonomic schemes, test organisms, media preparation, computer use, quality control, etc.
Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria is a comprehensive and authoritative guide that covers all aspects of bacterial identification. It is written in a clear and concise language that is easy to understand and follow. It is organized in a logical and systematic way that facilitates the use and navigation of the manual. It is illustrated with high-quality and relevant images that enhance the visual appeal and understanding of the manual. It is updated and revised regularly to reflect the latest developments and discoveries in the field of medical microbiology.
Benefits of Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria
Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria has many benefits for medical microbiologists who need to identify bacteria from clinical specimens. Some of these benefits are:
It provides a reliable and accurate source of information on how to identify over 700 species of medically important bacteria.
It covers both conventional and modern methods of bacterial identification, giving the user a wide range of options and alternatives to choose from.
It offers practical and useful guidance on how to perform and interpret the identification tests, as well as how to report and document the results.
It helps the user to save time and resources by providing efficient and effective identification strategies and tools.
It enhances the user's knowledge and skills in bacterial identification, as well as their confidence and competence in their work.
It contributes to the improvement of patient care and public health by enabling the user to diagnose, treat, and prevent bacterial diseases and infections.
Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria is a valuable resource that can help medical microbiologists in their work. It is a must-have reference book for any laboratory that deals with bacterial identification.
How to Use Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria
To use Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria, you need to follow some steps and procedures. Here are some tips on how to use the manual effectively:
Preparation: Before you start using the manual, you need to prepare some prerequisites and equipment. You need to have a clinical specimen that contains bacteria that you want to identify. You also need to have a microscope, culture media, stains, reagents, test kits, incubators, etc. that are required for performing the identification tests. You also need to have access to a computer or a smartphone that can run the computerized identification programs or access the online sources.
Methods: Once you have prepared everything, you can start using the manual. You need to follow these steps:
Isolate: The first step is to isolate the bacteria from the clinical specimen. You need to use appropriate culture media and conditions to grow the bacteria in pure cultures. You also need to observe the colony morphology and characteristics of the bacteria on different media.
Characterize: The next step is to characterize the bacteria based on their microscopic appearance and behavior. You need to use appropriate staining methods, such as gram stain, acid-fast stain, spore stain, etc. to determine their gram reaction, shape, arrangement, spore formation, etc. You also need to use appropriate biochemical tests, such as catalase test, oxidase test, fermentation test, etc. to determine their metabolic activities and enzyme production.
Identify: The final step is to identify the bacteria based on their antigenic properties and genetic features. You need to use appropriate serological tests, such as agglutination test, coagglutination test, ELISA test, etc. to determine their antigenic structure and serotype. You also need to use appropriate molecular tests, such as PCR, DNA hybridization, DNA sequencing, etc. to determine their genetic makeup and genotype.
Examples: To illustrate how to use the manual, here are some examples of common scenarios and cases where the manual can be applied:
Scenario 1: You have a urine specimen from a patient with urinary tract infection. You want to identify the causative agent of the infection.
Case 1: You isolate the bacteria from the urine specimen and grow them on blood agar and MacConkey agar. You observe that the bacteria produce lactose-fermenting colonies on MacConkey agar and hemolytic colonies on blood agar. You stain the bacteria with gram stain and observe that they are gram-negative rods. You perform a catalase test and an oxidase test and observe that they are positive for both. You perform a coagglutination test with specific antisera and observe that they agglutinate with Escherichia coli O157:H7 antiserum. You perform a PCR test with specific primers and observe that they amplify a 438-bp fragment that corresponds to the stx2 gene of E. coli O157:H7. You conclude that the bacteria are E. coli O157:H7, a pathogenic strain of E. coli that can cause bloody diarrhea, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and kidney failure.
Scenario 2: You have a sputum specimen from a patient with pneumonia. You want to identify the causative agent of the pneumonia.
Case 2: You isolate the bacteria from the sputum specimen and grow them on chocolate agar and blood agar. You observe that the bacteria produce small, round, greenish colonies on both media. You stain the bacteria with gram stain and observe that they are gram-positive cocci in pairs or chains. You perform a catalase test and an optochin test and observe that they are negative for both. You perform an agglutination test with specific antisera and observe that they agglutinate with Streptococcus pneumoniae type 19A antiserum. You perform a DNA hybridization test with specific probes and observe that they hybridize with S. pneumoniae 19A probe. You conclude that the bacteria are S. pneumoniae type 19A, a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis, and sepsis.
These are just some examples of how to use Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria. The manual provides more detailed information and instructions on how to use it for different types of bacteria and specimens.
How to Download Cowan and Steel's Manual for Free in PDF Format
If you want to download Cowan and Steel's Manual for free in PDF format, you need to be careful and cautious. There are many websites that claim to offer free downloads of the manual, but some of them may be unreliable, illegal, or unsafe. They may contain viruses, malware, spyware, or other harmful software that can damage your computer or device. They may also violate the intellectual property rights of the authors or publishers of the manual.
To avoid these risks and problems, you need to follow some tips and tricks to ensure a smooth and safe download process. Here are some tips on how to download Cowan and Steel's Manual for free in PDF format:
Tip 1: Use reputable and legal sources to download the manual. Some examples of reputable and legal sources are:
The official website of Cambridge University Press, the publisher of Cowan and Steel's Manual. They offer free access to some chapters of the manual online, as well as options to purchase or rent the full version in print or digital formats.
The official website of World Health Organization (WHO), which provides free access to Cowan and Steel's Manual as part of their Global Health Library. They offer free downloads of the full version of the manual in PDF format.
The official website of National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), which provides free access to Cowan and Steel's Manual as part of their Bookshelf. They offer free downloads of the full version of the manual in PDF format.
Tip 2: Use reliable and secure software or applications to download the manual. Some examples of reliable and secure software or applications are:
Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free software that allows you to view, print, and download PDF files.
Google Chrome, which is a free web browser that allows you to view, print, and download PDF files.
Dropbox, which is a free cloud storage service that allows you to upload, store, and download PDF files.
Tip 3: Use antivirus and firewall software or applications to protect your computer or device from viruses, malware, spyware, or other harmful software. Some examples of antivirus and firewall software or applications are:
Avast, which is a free antivirus software that protects your computer or device from viruses, malware, spyware, or other harmful software.
Windows Defender, which is a free antivirus and firewall software that protects your computer or device from viruses, malware, spyware, or other harmful software.
Norton, which is a paid antivirus and firewall software that protects your computer or device from viruses, malware, spyware, or other harmful software.
These are some tips on how to download Cowan and Steel's Manual for free in PDF format. However, if you cannot download the manual for free or you prefer to have a physical copy of the manual, you can also purchase or rent the manual from various sources, such as online bookstores, libraries, universities, etc.
Conclusion
Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria is a comprehensive and authoritative guide that provides detailed information on how to isolate, characterize, and identify medically important bacteria. It covers both conventional and modern methods of bacterial identification, as well as the general characteristics and properties of bacteria. It also includes appendices on various topics related to bacterial identification. It is a valuable resource that can help medical microbiologists in their work. It is available in print and digital formats, and can be downloaded for free in PDF format from reliable sources.
If you are interested in learning more about Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria, you can visit the following websites:
The official website of Cambridge University Press:
The official website of World Health Organization:
The official website of National Center for Biotechnology Information:
You can also contact us if you have any questions or comments about the manual. We would love to hear from you and help you with your bacterial identification needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Cowan and Steel's Manual for the Identification of Medical Bacteria:
Q: How many editions of Cowan and Steel's Manual are there?
A: There are four editions of Cowan and Steel's Manual. The first edition was published in 1965 by S.T. Cowan and J.M. Steel. The second edition was published in 1974 by Cowan and Steel with some revisions and updates. The third edition was published in 1993 by G.I. Barrow and R.K.A. Feltham who edited and revised it based on Cowan and Steel's original work. The fourth and latest edition was published in 2004 by Barrow and Feltham with further revisions and updates.
Q: What are the main differences between the editions of Cowan and Steel's Manual?
A: The main differences between the editions of Cowan and Steel's Manual are the number of bacterial species covered, the methods of bacterial identification used, the features and sections of the manual added or improved, etc. For example, the first edition covered over 400 species of bacteria, while the fourth edition covered over 700 species of bacteria. The first edition used mainly conventional methods of bacterial identification, while the fourth edition used both conventional and modern methods of bacterial identification. The first edition had an introduction and appendices as the main features, while the fourth edition had a preface, an index of bacteria, a list of suppliers, a website address, etc. as the main features.
Q: How can I access Cowan and Steel's Manual online?
A: You can access Cowan and Steel's Manual online from various sources, such as the official website of Cambridge University Press, the official website of World Health Organization, the official website of National Center for Biotechnology Information, etc. You can also download the manual for free in PDF format from these sources.
Q: How can I cite Cowan and Steel's Manual in my academic work?
A: You can cite Cowan and Steel's Manual in your academic work using different citation styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, etc. Here is an example of how to cite the manual using APA style: Barrow, G. I., & Feltham, R. K. A. (Eds.). (2004). Cowan and Steel's manual for the identification of medical bacteria (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Q: How can I contact the authors or publishers of Cowan and Steel's Manual?
A: You can contact the authors or publishers of Cowan and Steel's Manual by visiting their websites or sending them an email. Here are their contact details: Cambridge University Press: or info@cambridge.org World Health Organization: or info@who.int National Center for Biotechnology Information: or info@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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