Bacteriologists are scientists who study bacteria and their properties, including how they grow, interact, and cause disease. Synonyms for the term bacteriologist include microbiologist, infectious disease specialist, pathologist, immunologist, bacteriology researcher, and bacterial geneticist. Microbiologists are specialized in the study of all kinds of microorganisms, including viruses and fungi. Infectious disease specialists focus on diagnosing and treating diseases caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. Pathologists study the mechanisms of diseases to identify their origins, causes, and diagnosis. Immunologists examine the immune system's response to bacterial infections. Bacteriology researchers study bacteriology, and bacterial geneticists study the genetic makeup of bacteria.