Reading List

ASCP makes it clear that their suggested reading/reference list for the Technologist in Microbiology, M(ASCP), and the Specialist in Microbiology, SM(ASCP), certification exams “is intended only as a partial reference source”. The suggested reading/reference list below was last revised on ASCP’s website January 2025

Journals

• Clinical Microbiology Newsletter. Published by ScienceDirect.
• Clinical Microbiology Reviews. Published by American Society for Microbiology.
• Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease. Published by ScienceDirect.
• Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Published by American Society for Microbiology.
• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Texts

Clinical Microbiology

• Carroll, K.C., et al. (Eds.). (2023). Manual of Clinical Microbiology (13th ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press.
• De La Maza, L.M. et al. (2020). Color Atlas of Medical Bacteriology (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
• Gilligan, P.H., Shapiro, D.S., & Miller, M.B. (2014). Cases in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (4th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press. (Note: A new edition will be available July 2025)
• Hata, D.J. & Thomson Jr., R.B. (2016). Gram Stain Benchtop Reference Guide. College of American Pathologists.
• Leber, A.L. & Burnham, C.D. (Eds.). (2023). Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
• Mahon, C.R. & Lehman, D.C. (2023). Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (7th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
• Procop, G.W., et al. (2016). Koneman’s Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Tille, P.M. (2021). Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology (15th ed.). Elsevier. (Note: A new edition will be available March 2025)

Molecular and Immunology

• Schmitz, J.L, Detrick, B., & Maurice, R.G.O. (Eds.). (2024). Manual of Molecular and Clinical Laboratory Immunology (9th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
• Persing, D.H. et al. (Eds.). (2016). Molecular Microbiology: Diagnostic Principles and Practice (3rd ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press.

Parisitology

• Ash, L.R. & Orihel, T.C. (2007). Atlas of Human Parasitology (5th ed.). Chicago: ASCP Press.
• Garcia, L.S. (2016). Diagnostic Medical Parasitology (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
• Mathison, B.A. & Pritt, B.S. (2016). Arthropod Benchtop Reference Guide. College of American Pathologists. (Note: More appropriate for the Specialist (SM) level)
• Pritt, B.S. (2014). Parasitology Benchtop Reference Guide. College of American Pathologists.

Mycology and Virology

• Loeffelholz, M.J., et al. (Eds.). (2016). Clinical Virology Manual (5th ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press.
• Love, G.L. & Ribes, J.A. (2018). Color Atlas of Mycology: An Illustrated Field Guide Based on Proficiency Testing. College of American Pathologists.
• Westblade, L.F., et al., (2023). Larone’s Medically Important Fungi: A Guide to Identification (7th ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Laboratory Management

• Garcia, L.S., et al. (Eds.). (2024). Clinical Laboratory Management (3rd ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press. (Note: More appropriate for the Specialist (SM) level)
• Harmening, D.M. (2020). Laboratory Management: Principles and Processes (4th ed.). St. Petersburg, FL: D.H. Publishing & Consulting Inc. (Note: More appropriate for the Specialist (SM) level)

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Publications

• Available online at www.clsi.org

Online

• ClinMicroNow - American Society of Microbiology (ASM)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• College of American Pathologists (CAP)
• DPDx – CDC’s Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria