What resources do I need to use for FRCPath Microbiology?

FRCPath Microbiology questions are heavily drawn from British and some international guidelines, recent developments relevant to the UK, and recent journal articles (review, meta-analysis, important research articles). Reading books may not be sufficient for these exams, especially for part 2.

Here is a list of resources that you should read -

Curriculum

You must go through the curriculum to know what to read. To start preparing for the exam without knowing what to read could lead to a terrible outcome.

• https://www.rcpath.org/trainees/training/training-by-specialty.html
• https://www.rcpath.org/trainees/training/training-by-specialty/medical-microbiology-2021.html

Antibiotic

1. BNF

Get a list of antibiotic that we use in the UK - you must read these antibiotics

• https://bnfc.nice.org.uk/ OR,
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/

You can find a list of antibiotics made from BNF in this google sheet. Make a copy for yourself.

How to do it - here is an example

2. FDA and PEW trust

Here you can find recently approved and pipeline antibiotics which are also important for the examination. Pay special attention to the recently approved antibiotics. Pipeline antibiotics are less important.

• https://www.fda.gov/drugs/development-approval-process-drugs/new-drugs-fda-cders-new-molecular-entities-and-new-therapeutic-biological-products
• https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/data-visualizations/2014/antibiotics-currently-in-clinical-development?utm_campaign=LM+-+ARP+-+Innovation+Update+March+2021+-+3+11+21&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Pew

Vaccine

Greenbook

Greenbook is a series of documents which gives you most if not all the information about vaccines.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book

Immunoglobulin handbook

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunoglobulin-when-to-use

National SMI & EUCAST

These are the most important documents for the laboratory aspect of microbiology. National SMI will give you information on processing specimens, laboratory tests, staining, and syndromic algorithm - this is the standard we follow in the UK. You must read these documents.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/standards-for-microbiology-investigations-smi

EUCAST is the standard used for sensitivity tests. For the FRCPath microbiology, this standard should be followed (not CLSI).

https://eucast.org/

Reference laboratory user manuals

The UK has several reference laboratories which support the local laboratories. There are valuable pieces of information in these laboratories' manuals. You may find information about typing, reference range and the tests available. You may wish to note what tests are available for individual organisms and diseases.

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/specialist-and-reference-microbiology-laboratory-tests-and-services
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bacteriology-reference-department-brd-user-manual
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/virus-reference-department-vrd-user-manual
• https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/faculties/itd/teaching-and-diagnostic-unit/diagnostic-parasitology-laboratory
• https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/severn-pathology/pathology-services/antimicrobial-reference-laboratory/antimicrobial-reference-laboratory-resources

Laboratory safety and quality

• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/clinical-laboratories.pdf
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/laboratories.htm
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/management-containment-labs.pdf
• Quality manual – https://mft.nhs.uk/app/uploads/2021/02/Manchester-Quality-Manual.pdf
• Hospital safety – https://www.aintreehospital.nhs.uk/media/11602/ii-health-safety-policy-ii-gen-pol-2-v2.pdf.

Laboratory reporting to public health:

• https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/926838/PHE_Laboratory_reporting_guidelines_October-2020-v3.pdf
• KAI, KPI: https://www.rcpath.org/profession/guidelines/kpis-for-laboratory-services.html
• ACDP: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/advisory-committee-on-dangerous-pathogens

Infection control

• epic3: National Evidence-Based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in NHS Hospitals in England
• National Infection Prevention and Control Manual
• Healthcare infection society guidelines

Health Technical Memoranda (HTM)

https://www.england.nhs.uk/estates/health-technical-memoranda/

Health Building Notes

https://www.england.nhs.uk/estates/health-building-notes/

Guidelines

• NICE – https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance
• BIA guideline list – https://www.britishinfection.org/guidelines-resources/published-guidelines
• HIS guidelines – Healthcare infection society guidelines
• BASHH guidelines – https://www.bashh.org/guidelines
• BHIVA guidelines – https://www.bhiva.org/guidelines
• UK CVN guidelines – http://www.clinicalvirology.org/guidelines/
• British Transplantation Society guidelines – https://bts.org.uk/guidelines-standards/
• Health protection A to Z – https://www.gov.uk/topic/health-protection/infectious-diseases
• British Society of Rheumatology – https://www.rheumatology.org.uk/practice-quality/guidelines
• British Society of Haematology – https://b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/
• British Thoracic Society – https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/quality-improvement/guidelines/
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidelines
• IDSA – https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/practice-guidelines/
• ESCMID – https://www.escmid.org/guidelines_publications/guidelines/
• Guidelines.co.uk – https://www.guidelines.co.uk/
• Uptodate – https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search
• BMJ Best Practice – https://bestpractice.bmj.com/info/
• Microguide example – https://viewer.microguide.global/GHNFT/ADULT

Updates and journals

These websites will give you information on what is happening in the UK—regulatory updates, approvals, new adverse effects etc. I recommend checking this website and going back a year from your examination date, especially if you are preparing for part 2.

MHRA

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency

CAS alert

https://www.cas.mhra.gov.uk/Home

HPR

https://www.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/health-protection

Journals

Journal of infection

The Journal of Hospital Infection

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy