Learning objectives
The objectives of the course are to enable the acquisition of knowledge
and understanding about the principles and practice of the main methods
for the laboratory diagnosis of infections due to bacteria and fungi of
medical interest, and provide the ability to apply in occupational contexts
the knowledge and understanding acquired in the specific field.
Prerequisites
- - -
Course unit content
The first lessons concern general topics related to the pathogenicity of microorganisms and viruses and the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.
The second part of the course is devoted to discussion of the principles and methods for the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases.
The third part of the course is the natural history of infections caused by the major etiologic agents, laboratory diagnostic methods and interpretation of results of microbiological and virological investigations into borne infections of the major systems and equipment.
Full programme
Pathogenicity of microorganisms and pathogenesis of infectious diseases
- host-infectious agent relationship: parasitism, infection, disease;
- host-disease relationship: virulence, mechanisms of pathogenicity of microorganisms and viruses;
- the pathogenesis of bacterial infections;
- the pathogenesis of viral infections;
- strategies of microorganisms and viruses to evade host defenses; mutations in viruses, genetic and non-genetic interactions;
- microbial resident population; - epidemiology of infections: transmission and prevalence of infections, indicators and epidemiological studies;
- the importance of infectious diseases: new, emerging and re-emerging infections.
Principles and methods for the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases.
- Demonstration of the infectious agent and its components in clinical specimens
- Demonstration of a specific immune response.
- Medical biotechnology and their applications in the field of laboratory diagnostics.
- Collection, transport and storage of clinical specimens for bacteriological, parasitological, mycological and virological examinations.
Etiology, notes of pathogenesis, clinical samples, laboratory diagnostic procedures, interpretation of the results of microbiological and virological investigations related to:
- Infections of the intestinal tract
- Infections of the respiratory tract
- Infections of the central nervous system
- Infections of the skin
- Genitourinary infections - Systemic infections
- Prenatal, perinatal and connatal infections
- Infections in immunocompromised host.
- Zoonosis and viral infections due to arbovirus.
Bibliography
M.Bendinelli, A. Calderaro, C. Chezzi, G. Dettori, N. Manca, G. Morace, L. Polonelli, M.A. Tufano - - Monduzzi Editore - 2006-2012 - Microbiologia Medica: Batteriologia, Parassitologia, Virologia. Gli agenti infettivi dell'uomo: biologia, azione patogena, laboratorio.
Teaching methods
Lectures accompanied by visual aids will be used to convey critical
information on the topics relating to the course content.
Through practical activity organizational aspects of the laboratory for the diagnosis of infectious diseases will be addressed, results of microbiological and virological investigations observed and discussed, diagnostic procedures at runtime showed and application capabilities exercised in performing some investigations.
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.
Other information
Teacher: Prof. Adriana Calderaro
