Learning objectives
Acquisition of essential knowledge about: bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses; host-pathogen interactions and pathogenesis of infectious diseases; mechanisms of action and use of common antimicrobial and antiviral agents; host immune response and prevention of infectious diseases.
Prerequisites
Getting through Fisiologia generale and Biochimica/Biochimica applicata
Course unit content
Origins and evolution of microorganisms and Microbiology. Microscopic observation of microorganisms and viruses. Structure and functions of the prokaryotic cell. Fungi. Protozoa. Viruses. Viroids and prions. Classification of microorganisms and viruses. Microbial growth and metabolism. Cultivation of microorganisms and viruses. Methods for microbial count. Microbial and viral genetics: Exchange of genetic information. Host-pathogen interactions. Normal flora of humans. Microbial pathogenicity and virulence factors. Viral pathogenesis. Common infectious diseases. Infection and immunity: Innate and acquired antimicrobial and antiviral immunity; Vaccines and sera. Microbial and viral strategies to escape host immune system. Physical and chemical means against microorganisms. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoan and antiviral agents: Mode of action, resistance and susceptibility testing. Pharmaceutical Microbiology: Industrial and Pharmaceutical Microbiology; Evaluation of mutagenic potency of chemical compounds: the Ames test; Recombinant DNA and pharmaceutical products.
Full programme
Origin and evolution of microorganisms and Microbiology. Observation of microorganisms and viruses. Structure and functions of prokaryotic cell. Fungi. Protozoa. Virus. Viroids and prions. Classification of microorganisms and viruses. Growth and metabolism of microorganisms. Cultivation and titration of microorganisms and viruses. Genetics of microorganisms and viruses: genetic recombination. Host-parasite relationships in infection and infectious disease. Microbial population residing in the human body. Pathogens and their mechanisms of pathogenicity and virulence. Mechanisms of pathogenicity of the virus. Major infectious diseases. Infections and Immunity: Nonspecific and specific defenses against infection. Vaccines and sera. Strategies of microorganisms and viruses to escape the immune system. Chemical and physical agents with antimicrobial activity. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoan, antivirals: mechanism of action, resistance and sensitivity assays. Pharmaceutical Microbiology: Microorganisms in chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Assessment of genotoxicity: Ames test; Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA and pharmaceutical products.
Bibliography
N. CARLONE et al. "Microbiologia Farmaceutica", Editrice Edises, Napoli, 2009.
HUGO-RUSSELL. "Microbiologia Farmaceutica", Editrice EMSI, Roma.
MURRAY, ROSENTHAL, KOBAYASHI, PfALLER. Microbiologia. Editrice EdiSES, Napoli.
M. LA PLACA. "Principi di Microbiologia Medica", Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna.
Teaching methods
Oral lessons
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam
Other information
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