Learning objectives
The course aims to enable the student to know and understand the principles and practice of the main methods for the laboratory diagnosis of infections due to bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses of medical interest, and provide the ability to apply in occupational contexts the knowledge and understanding acquired in the specific field.
Prerequisites
Passing examinations of Microbiology I and Clinical Microbiology II year of
degree
Course unit content
Bacteriology
- Techniques for the direct diagnosis of bacterial infections: microscopic examination, cultural examination, identification, antigen detection (agglutination, immunochromatographic, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, immunofluorescence assays), nucleic acid detection (PCR, nPCR, real-time PCR, RFLP-PCR, LAMP in situ-hybridization.
- In vitro antibacterial susceptibility testing.
- Techniques for the indirect diagnosis of bacterial infections: antibody detection byimmunoenzymatic assay, western blotting, flocculation, agglutination, immunofluorescence and immunodiffusion assays.
Micology
- Laboratory diagnosis of mycoses: microscopic and cultural examinations. Procedures for identification of yeasts and moulds. Molecular biology approaches. Serological procedures.
Methods for antifungal susceptibility testing.
Parasitology
- Principles of the laboratory diagnosis of infections with Trichomonas vaginalis and free-living amoebae.
- Principles of laboratory diagnosis of infestation:
Cestodes(Diphyllobothrium latum, Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, Echinococcus), nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichinella spiralis), trematodes (Schistosomes).
Virology
- Techniques for preparing clinical samples for virological investigations.
- Techniques for electron microscopy, cell culture (rapid and conventional methods), identification of cytopathogenic agents, antigen detection (agglutination test, immunochromatographic, enzyme immunoassay -E.I.A., E.L.F.A, immunofluorescence) nucleic acid detection (PCR, nPCR and real time PCR), antibody detection (E.I.A., E.L.F.A., emoagglutination, immunofluorescence, western blotting, immunoblotting) for the laboratory diagnosis of the major viral infections of enteric tract (due to rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, enterovirus), respiratory tract (due to influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory sincytial viruses, adenovirus, bocavirus, metapneumovirus, cytomegalovirus), uro-genital tract (due to adenovirus, BK virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, papillomavirus), skin and mucous membranes (due to enterovirus, herpes simplex virus, human herpesvirus 6, human herpesvirus 8, measles virus, papillomavirus, parvovirus B19, rubella virus, varicella/zoster virus), liver (due to hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses), eyes (due to adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella/zoster virus), lymphoid and hematopoietic systems (due to adenovirus, BK virus, herpesviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, JC virus, parvovirus B19), nervous system (due to adenovirus, enterovirus, herpesviruses, JC virus, measles virus, rubella virus, parvovirus B19, Toscana virus)and of congenital, connatal and perinatal infections (due to cytomegalovirus, rubella virus, varicella/zoster virus, parvovirus, herpes simplex virus, hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus, papillomavirus, enterovirus) and arbovirus infections (due to Chikungunya, Dengue, West Nile, Toscana viruses).
Bibliography
Visual aids made available online;
MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA – Gli agenti infettivi dell’uomo: biologia, azione patogena, laboratorio. BATTERIOLOGIA. M. Bendinelli, C. Chezzi, G. Dettori, N. Manca, G. Morace, L. Polonelli, M.A. Tufano. MONDUZZI EDITORIALE. Anno 2006.
MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA – Gli agenti infettivi dell’uomo: biologia, azione patogena, laboratorio. MICOLOGIA. M. Bendinelli, C. Chezzi, G. Dettori, N. Manca, G. Morace, L. Polonelli, M.A. Tufano. MONDUZZI EDITORIALE. Anno 2005.
MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA – Gli agenti infettivi dell’uomo: biologia, azione patogena, laboratorio.. PARASSITOLOGIA .M. Bendinelli, A. Calderaro, C. Chezzi, G. Dettori, N. Manca, G. Morace, L. Polonelli, M.A. Tufano. MONDUZZI EDITORIALE. Anno 2012.
MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA – Gli agenti infettivi dell’uomo: biologia, azione patogena, laboratorio. VIROLOGIA. M. Bendinelli, C. Chezzi, G. Dettori, N. Manca, G. Morace, L. Polonelli, M.A. Tufano. MONDUZZI EDITORIALE. Anno 2007.
Teaching methods
Lectures accompanied by visual aids will be used to convey critical information on the topics relating to the course content.
Assessment methods and criteria
Learning outcomes will be verified through an oral examination. Questions on the topics relating to the course content will be used to test the student’s knowledge and understanding in the field, and her/his ability to apply the knowledge and understanding in occupational contexts.
