[Microbiology in Chile: development through a century of existence]

Microbiology starts in Chile at the end of the XIXth century as part of the effort to develop basic sciences at the University of Chile Medical School. Publications by Vicente Izquierdo on gonorrheae and Alejandro del Río on the organisms of dysenteriae were pioneer works in this area. The field was progressively developed in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Public Health and different hospitals. Many scientists have been trained in the United States, Canada or Europe. Post graduate training in Chile led to the first Masters degree in 1975 and the first doctoral degree in 1987. Although there is a shortage of well trained scientists and specialists, the field remains active as evidenced by publications, meetings and the existence of 3 specialized journals.