Learning objectives
The course aims to enable the student to know and understand the
principles and practice of the main methods for the laboratory diagnosis
of infections due to bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses of medical
interest, and provide the ability to apply in occupational contexts the
knowledge and understanding acquired in the specific field.
Prerequisites
Passing examinations of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology (I and II year of
the degree).
Course unit content
The course deals with the principles of the laboratory diagnosis of infections by bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, and the subdivision of diagnostic methods in relation to the detection target, the running time or investigation completion.
The lessons are directed to the processing of the biological sample: transport, storage and preparation for the different laboratory investigations, and to the detailed description of conventional and rapid techniques for the direct and indirect laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses.
Full programme
BACTERIOLOGY
- Techniques for the direct diagnosis of bacterial infections: microscopic
examination, cultural examination, identification, antigen detection
(agglutination, immunochromatographic, enzyme-linked immunosorbent,
immunofluorescence assays), nucleic acid detection (polymerase chain reaction and its applications).
- In vitro antibacterial susceptibility testing.
- Techniques for the indirect diagnosis of bacterial infections: antibody
detection by immunoenzymatic assay, western blotting, flocculation,
agglutination, immunofluorescence, nephelometric assays.
MICOLOGY
- Laboratory diagnosis of mycoses: microscopic and cultural
examinations. Procedures for identification of yeasts and moulds.
Molecular biology approaches. Serological procedures.
Methods for antifungal susceptibility testing.
PARASITOLOGY
- Principles of laboratory diagnosis of infestation:
Cestodes (Diphyllobothrium latum, Taenia solium, Taenia saginata,
Echinococcus), Nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides
stercoralis, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichinella spiralis), Trematodes
(Schistosomes).
VIROLOGY
- Techniques for preparing clinical samples for virological investigations.
- Techniques for electron microscopy, cell culture (rapid and
conventional methods), identification of cytopathogenic agents, antigen
detection (agglutination test, immunochromatographic, enzyme
immunoassay, immunofluorescence) nucleic acid detection (PCR, nPCR and real time PCR), antibody detection (enzyme immunoassay, immunofluorescence, western blotting, immunoblotting) for the laboratory diagnosis of the most relevant viral infections
of the respiratory , enteric, urogenital tracts, skin and mucous membranes, liver, eyes, lymphoid and hematopoietic systems, nervous system, congenital, connatal and perinatal infections and arbovirus infections.
Bibliography
Visual aids made available by teachers;
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
EDITORIALE. Anno 2006.
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 EDITORIALE.
Anno 2005.
Anno 2005.
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 EDITORIALE. Anno 2012.
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 EDITORIALE.
Anno 2007.
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. The examination can be addressed, upon registration online, based on the official exams calendar of the Department. By questions regarding the course content it will be ascertained whether the student has achieved the objective of knowledge and understanding of the scientific discipline and is able to properly use the technical-scientific language and apply the knowledge acquired in occupational contexts. The ascertained inability to answer a question or to prove at least a basic knowledge of the subject will prevent the successful completion of the exam. In case of passing the exam, the attribution of the vote, expressed in thirtieths, will be carried out according to the degree of achievement of the objectives (excellent, good, fair, fully sufficient, barely sufficient). Full marks with laude will be reserved to students who have demonstrated particular communication and autonomous learning skills. The result of the examination is communicated immediately to the student, and, after acceptance, it will be published on the ESSE3 portal (https://unipr.esse3.cineca.it/Home.do).
Other information
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