Learning objectives
“Microbiology and Applied Laboratory Medicine” course is part of the integrated course “Laboratory Analysis applied to Sport”.
The course aims to provide the student with essential knowledge about the main characters of the principal etiologic agents of infectious diseases (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites), the possible transmission routes, laboratory diagnosis techniques, the immune prophylaxis and therapy. Furthermore, it will supply the ability of using the acquired knowledge and understanding as useful tools for a conscious approach to the infectious diseases.
Prerequisites
Basic notions of Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology and general Microbiology.
Course unit content
1 . V I R O L O G Y
Main biological, morphological and structural characteristics of viruses (notes)
Viral infection phases (notes)
Virus cultivation
Parenteral and faecal-oral way-transmitted infections; herpesvirus infections; respiratory and dermatological infections
2 . B A C T E R I O L O G Y
General characters of bacteria (notes)
Resident bacterial population and bacterial pathogenicity mechanisms (notes)
Antibacterial drugs
Main bacterial pathogens in humans
3 . M Y C O L O G Y
General characteristics of fungi (notes)
The fungal cell and the fungal colony; yeasts and filamentous fungi (notes)
Anti- fungal antibiotics;
Classification of mycoses; main human mycoses
4 . P A R A S I T O L O G Y
Main characteristics of protozoa and pluricellular parasites (notes);
Main blood and tissues, intestinal, uro-genital parasite protozoa;
Examples of pluricellular parasites of medical interest
5. TRANSMISSION ROUTES OF MICROBES AND VIRUSES
6. SPECIFIC PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF VIRAL AND MICROBIAL INFECTIONS
Active and passive immunoprophylaxis
Notes about the main biological samples for the laboratory diagnosis of viral and microbial infections (bacteria, fungi, protozoa): sample collection, transport and storage.
Methods and principles for the laboratory diagnosis of virus and microbe infections :
microscopic examination
antigen detection
nucleic acids detection
cultivation
in vitro assays for drug sensitivity/ resistance
antibodies detection
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
M. Bendinelli, C. Chezzi, G. Dettori, N. Manca, G. Morace, L. Polonelli, M.A. Tufano “Microbiologia Medica: gli agenti infettivi dell’uomo – biologia, azione patogena, laboratorio”. Virology; Bacteriology; Parasitology; Micology. Monduzzi Editore
Teaching methods
Lectures accompanied by visual aids will be used to convey critical information on the topics relating to the course content
Assessment methods and criteria
Learning outcomes will be verified through an oral examination. Questions on the topics relating to the course content will aim to check the student’s knowledge and understanding in the field, in order to test his ability of applying the acquired knowledge to a conscious approach to the infectious diseases.
The examination results will contribute to the final evaluation of the integrated course.
Other information
- - -
