Microbiology (Medical/Clinical) in medicine is a subspecialty of pathology which studies microorganisms, such as parasites, fungi, bacteria, prions, and viruses, that can contribute to disease in humans. It also studies pathogenesis, epidemiology, prevention, and management of infection. The discipline involves a range of laboratory techniques which help to diagnose, treat and monitor infectious diseases. It includes the analysis, reporting and interpretation of results, which can be used to advise clinicians, compile data and inform public health policy, develop new treatments, or make unique recommendations for therapy – such as antibiotic treatment - that considers the patient’s individual condition and genes. Medical microbiology is practiced in hospital laboratories. Subspecialties include bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, serology or molecular microbiology.