Learning objectives
The course aims to enable the student to know and understand: host-parasite interactions and pathogenesis of infectious diseases; major agents of infectious diseases in man; mode of action of the major antimicrobial and antiviral agents and their mechanisms of resistance; principles and methods of immunoprophylaxis; basic technical aspects related to the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by relevant bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. The course also aims to enable to apply this knowledge in the workplace.
Prerequisites
Strong knowledge of General Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular biology.
Course unit content
General characteristics of microorganisms and viruses.
Pathogenicity and virulence, determinants of pathogenicity of microorganisms and viruses.
Microorganisms and viruses that cause relevant human infectious diseases.
Antimicrobial and antiviral molecules and their mechanism of action, determinants of antimicrobial resistance
Immunological basis of vaccination, vaccines.
Microbiological diagnosis of infection, direct and indirect diagnosis.
Sampling for microbiological diagnosis.
Determination of the sensitivity of microorganisms and viruses to anti-infective agents.
Full programme
Introduction to Medical Microbiology: summary of General Microbiology concepts relevant to Medical Microbiology; pathogenicity and virulence, mechanisms of pathogenicity and relationships with host specific and non-specific defenses; bacterial biofilms and their role in infections; the role of the microbiota in infectious diseases; general information on infectious diseases, transmission pathways, zoonoses; antimicrobial and antiviral agents and their mechanisms of action, molecular basis of drug resistance.
Host immune response to infection: functional organization of the immune system, natural and acquired immunity; pathogen recognition and defense mechanisms against infectious diseases.
Diagnosis of infectious diseases: sampling of microbiological specimens for laboratory diagnosis; direct and indirect diagnosis; conventional, immunological, and molecular techniques for the microbiological diagnosis; determination of the sensitivity of microorganisms and viruses to anti-infectious drugs.
Major bacterial pathogens of medical interest (Staphylococci, Streptococci, Neisseria, Enterobacteria and other Gram-negative bacteria, Bacilli and Clostridia, Legionella, Mycobacteria, Spirochetes, Chlamydia); laboratory diagnosis of bacterial infection.
Major viruses of medical interest (Herpesvirus, Papillomavirus, Ortomixovirus, Paramixovirus, Coronavirus, Retrovirus, Rotavirus, primary hepatitis viruses); laboratory diagnosis of viral infection.
Major fungi of medical interest (Candida, Dermatophytes, Aspergilli, Cryptococcus, Pneumocysts); laboratory diagnosis of fungal infection.
Major protozoa of medical interest (Flagellate, Amoeba, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma); laboratory diagnosis of protozoan infection.
Immunoprophylaxis of infectious diseases: artificially acquired passive immunity achieved by the transfer of serum, human immunoglobulins, monoclonal antibodies and use in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases; artificially acquired active immunity induced by vaccination; classes and types of vaccines.
Bibliography
Eudes Lanciotti - Microbiologia Clinica – Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
Didactic materials used in class available on the Elly site, on the course page.
Teaching methods
Lectures supported by visual aids will be used to present and discuss, with broad reference to practical approaches, the contents of the course.
Lectures will be held in presence with the possibility of attending online in synchronous mode (via Teams).
Assessment methods and criteria
Learning outcomes will be verified through an oral examination. The examination can be addressed, upon registration online, based on the official exams calendar of the Department. By questions regarding the course content it will be ascertained whether the student has achieved the objective of knowledge and understanding of the scientific discipline and is able to use the technical-scientific language in an appropriate manner and to apply in occupational contexts the knowledge acquired. The ascertained inability to answer a question or to prove at least a basic knowledge of the subject will prevent the successful completion of the exam. In case of passing the exam, the attribution of the vote, expressed in thirtieths, will be carried out according to the degree of achievement of the objectives (excellent, good, fair, fully sufficient, barely sufficient). Full marks with laude will be reserved to students who have demonstrated high communication and autonomous learning skills. The result of the examination is communicated immediately to the student, and, after acceptance, it will be published on the ESSE3 portal (https://unipr.esse3.cineca.it/Home.do).
Other information
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