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 and fungi of medical
interest, and provide the ability to apply in occupational contexts the
knowledge and understanding acquired in the specific field.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
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. In vitro antibacterial and antifungal susceptibility testing.
Full programme
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
Visual aids made available online.
Teaching methods
The topics concerning the course contents will be presented and discussed through lectures with the help of iconographic material in PowerPoint files. Lectures will present the main conceptual frame of each topic, emphasizing the links between the various parts of the course and encouraging the active participation of the students.
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 exam score will contribute to the final vote of the integrated course of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology II, obtained on the basis of 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, afteracceptance, is published on the ESSE3 portal (https://unipr.esse3.cineca.it/Home.do).
Other information
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