Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species.[1] A person who studies bacteriology is a bacteriologist.
Because of the similarity of thinking and working with microorganisms other than bacteria, such as protozoa, fungi, and viruses, there has been a tendency for the field of bacteriology to extend as microbiology.[2] The terms were formerly often used interchangeably.[3] However, bacteriology can be classified as a distinct science.