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
Essential knowledge about: bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, viroids and prions; 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. 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. Viruses, viroids and prions. Growth and metabolism of microorganisms. Cultivation, titration and classification 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
Carlone et al. - Microbiologia Farmaceutica - Editrice Edises.
Hugo-Russell - Microbiologia Farmaceutica - Editrice EMSI, Roma.
Murray, Rosenthal, Kobayashi, Pfaller - Microbiologia. EdiSES, Napoli.
La Placa - Principi di Microbiologia Medica - Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna.
Teaching methods
Oral lessons
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination
Other information
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