Learning objectives
Acquisition of the scientific expertise instrumental to the understanding
of the taxonomic, morphological, physiological and antigenic
characteristics of bacteria,fungi, parasites and viruses for the
microscopic, cultural and serological diagnostic approach of infectious
diseases in man and drug susceptibility testing to antimicrobial and
antiviral drugs.
Course unit content
Bacteriology. Evolution of microorganisms and microbiology. The
different branches of microbiology. Structural and functional
characteristics of the prokaryotic cell. Sporogenesis and germination.
Comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Microscopic examination.
Simple and differential staining. Metabolism and cultivation: media and
curve of growth. Quantitation methods. Classification. Bacterial genetics.
Host-bacterium interactions. Resident bacterial population. Mechanisms
of pathogenicity. Principal diseases caused by bacterial infections.
Antibacterial drugs. Mechanisms of resistance to antibacterial drugs.
Antibacterial drug susceptibility testing.
Mycology. General features of fungi. Classification of fungi. Structure of
fungal cell and colony. Yeasts and moulds. Fungal dimorphism. Fungal
metabolism. Cultivation of fungi. Reproduction modalities in fungi.
Mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity. Immune response to fungal
infections. Antifungal drugs. Mechanisms of resistance to antifungal
drugs. Classification and epidemiology of mycoses. Fungi of clinical
interest. Mycotoxins.
Parasitology. Introduction to medical parasitology: terminology and
definitions used in the study of systematic medical parasitology,
definition of parasitism, general features and classification of medically
important parasites. Presentation of the principal parasitic protozoa of
medical interest. Notes on the life cycle of principal blood and tissue
parasitic protozoa: Leishmania, malaria Plasmodium, Toxoplasma gondii,
free-living amebas (Acanthamoeba). Notes on the life cycle of the
principal intestinal parasitic protozoa: intestinal amebas (Entamoeba
histolytica), Flagellates (Giardia intestinalis), Coccidia (Cryptosporidium
spp.). Notes on the life cycle of the principal genitor-rinary parasitic
protozoa (Trichomonas). Presentation of the principal helmints of
medical interest: Cestoda, Nematoda, Trematoda. Notes on the life cycle
of the principal intestinal parasitic helmints: Cestoda (Diphyllobotrium
latum, Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, Echinococcus), Trematoda
(schistosoma), Nematoda (Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis,
Enterobius vermicularis). Notes on the life cycle of the principal parasitic
helmints of the muscoskeletal apparatus: Nematoda (Trichinella spiralis).
Notes on the life cycle of the principal parasitic helmints of urinary
apparatus: Trematoda (schistosoma). Presentation of the principal
Arthropoda of medical interest: ticks, louses, maggots, mites.
Virology. General features of viruses. Definition of viruses. Morphology of
viruses. Structure of viruses. Nucleic acids of viruses. Host-virus
interactions: steps of viral infection. Expression of viral genome.
Replication of viral genome. Cultivation of viruses. Effects of virus
replication on host cell. Identification of viruses. Quantitation of viruses.
Classification of viruses. Mutations and genetic interactions between
viruses. Viral interference. Immunization against viruses. Antiviral drugs.
Principles of laboratory diagnosis of viral infections.
Bibliography
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 Editore.
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 Editore.
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 Editore.
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 Editore.
Other information
Teachers:
Prof. Luciano Polonelli
Prof.ssa Maria Cristina Arcangeletti
Prof. Valter Magliani
Dott.ssa Sabina Rossi
