Learning objectives
Students have to know life cycles, pathogenic factors epidemiology and techniques for laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by relevant bacteria, fungi, and viruses of medical interest. In addition, they must be able to apply this knowledge in the workplace.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of microbiology, biochemistry and physiology are requested to understand the course topics successfully. In particular, students must have to passed the exam of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology I during the first year of the bachelor course in TLB.
Course unit content
Module: MICROBIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY B
The course is based on lessons related to life cycles, pathogenicity factors and epidemiology of infections caused by the main groups of bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses of medical interest.
Module: DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY B
The course will deal with: the principles of laboratory diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infections; conventional diagnostic techniques and rapid methods for the diagnosis of the most important and frequent bacterial and fungal infections; collection, transport, and preparation of biological samples for laboratory diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infections; n vitro antibacterial and antifungal susceptibility testing.
Full programme
Module: MICROBIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY B
BACTERIOLOGY
General characteristics, pathogenicity factors, epidemiology of the main groups of bacteria of medical interest.
Staphylococci: S. aureus e Staphylococcus spp.
Streptococci: S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. pneumoniae
Enterococci
Neisseriae: N. meningitidis e N. gonorrhoeae.
Enterobacteriaceae
Vibrio cholerae
Campylobacter
Helicobacter pylori
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Haemophilus influenzae
Legionella pneumophila
anaerobic bacteria
chlamydia
mycobacteria
corynebacteria
pathogenic spirochetes
M I C O L O GY
Main fungi of medical interest.
V I R O L O G Y
General characteristics, replication, epidemiology of infections caused by the main DNA viruses of medical interest.
DNA viruses: Poxviridae, Herpesviridae, Adenoviridae, Polyomaviridae, Papillomaviridae, Hepadnaviridae, Parvoviridae.
Module: DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY B
BACTERIOLOGY: Biological specimens and laboratory diagnostic techniques for the detection and identification of specific Gram+ bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, Corynebacterium spp.) and Gram- bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae, Neisseria spp., Haemophilus spp., Legionella pneumophyla, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), bacterial antigen detection tests (agglutination, immunochromatographic, immunoenzymatic, immunofluorescence assays), nucleic acid detection tests (Real-time PCR, Film-Array, in situ hybridization [PNA-FISH]). Methods for laboratory diagnosis of mycobacterial infection. In vitro sensitivity assays to anti-bacterial drugs (manual and automated assays). Methods for the indirect diagnosis of bacterial infections: detection of antibodies by enzyme immunoassay, flocculation, agglutination, immunofluorescence, western blotting (with examples of applications).
MICOLOGY: Identification techniques of yeasts and filamentous fungi. In vitro sensitivity assays to anti-fungal drugs. Fungal antigens detection. Detection of anti-fungal antibodies.
Bibliography
M. Bendinelli, C. Chezzi, G. Dettori, N. Manca, G. Morace, L. Polonelli, M.A T u f a n o.
Microbiologia Medica. Batteriologia. Parassitologia, Micologia. Virologia. Monduzzi Editore
Teaching methods
Lectures supported by visual aids will be used to present and discuss the contents of the course.
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). The final vote of the exam of the integrated course of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology will result from the average of the notes obtained in the two modules. 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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