Learning objectives
The integrated course aims to allow students to know and understand basic concepts and updated scientific knowledge concerning the taxonomic, morphological, physiological, genetic, pathogenetic, epidemiological, immunological and pharmacological characteristics of microorganisms and viruses, as etiologic agents of infectious diseases in humans. It also aims to provide the ability to evaluate, interpret and manage microbiological and virological approaches for the diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis of oral infections and control of care-related infections in dentistry. Furthermore, it also aims to provide students with knowledge of epidemiological methods for assessing health phenomena and health needs. The Students will be able to apply epidemiological skills in reading and interpreting scientific articles. They will acquire an autonomy of judgment and learning related to the topics covered and specific communication skills.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The integrated course includes the treatment of aspects related to: general characteristics, genetics, metabolism and cultivation of microorganisms and viruses, host-parasite relationships in infection and infectious disease (pathogenicity and virulence), general characteristics of the main infectious diseases, antimicrobial and antiviral drugs and related mechanisms of resistance, infection and immunity and prevention of infectious diseases. Particularly in-depth will be the topics related to Oral Microbiology, including oral microbiota, plaque, caries, periodontal diseases and their control. The criteria of the direct and indirect microbiological diagnosis, the microbiological and virological microscopic, cultural and serological tests and the in vitro susceptibility testing of microorganisms to the anti-infective agents will also be treated. Finally, the objectives of epidemiology and epidemiological methods will be discussed as fundamental tools for identifying public health problems, identifying risk and protective factors, planning and evaluating public health interventions.
Full programme
Microbiology. Introduction to Microbiology. Evolution of microorganisms and microbiology. Bacteria: cell structure, classification, reproduction, sporogenesis and germination, metabolism, cultivation, genetics, mechanisms of pathogenicity. Human pathogenic fungi: yeasts, molds. Human pathogenic parasites: protozoa, metazoa. Viruses: chemical composition and structure, classification, replication, interference, cultivation and titration, mechanisms of pathogenicity. General outlines of infectious diseases: endogenous and exogenous infections. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral drugs. Mechanisms of resistance of pathogens to anti-infective drugs. Innate and acquired immunity against infectious diseases. Vaccines and infectiuos diseases. The mouth as a microbial habitat. Oral microbiota: acquisition, adhesion, distribution and metabolism. Dental plaque. Dental caries. Periodontal diseases. Bacterial, fungal and viral infections of the oral cavity. Principles of therapy and prophylaxis of oral infections. Care-related diseases in dentistry. Microbiological principles of disinfection and sterilization. Insights into agents and infectious diseases of general medical and dental interest: streptococci and pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, tetanus, diphtheria. whooping cough, Candida and fungi responsible for superficial, muco-cutaneous, subcutaneous and deep mycoses, toxoplasmosis, malaria, poxvirus, herpesvirus (H. simplex, H. varicella/zoster), coxsackievirus, coronavirus, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A, B, C and D, HPV, HIV, ebola.
Principles of Microbiological Diagnosis. Criteria for the direct and indirect microbiological diagnosis. Principles and methods of direct bacteriological, mycological, parasitological and virological microscopic assays. Principles and methods of bacteriological, mycological, parasitological and virological cultural assays. Principles and methods of bacteriological, mycological, parasitological and virological serological tests. Principles and methods for the drug susceptibility testing.
Hygiene. Definition, scope and use of epidemiology. The sources of the epidemiological data. Descriptive epidemiological measures (morbidity and mortality). Epidemiological measures of risk (relative risk, attributable risk, odds ratio). Case report, current statistical analysis, ecological studies, cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, cohort studies, experimental studies. Criteria to the causal association. Epidemiological study design. Bias in epidemiology. The management of an epidemic.
Bibliography
Carlone N., Pompei R., Tullio V. Microbiologia Farmaceutica. (3^ ed.), EdiSES Università editore, Napoli, 2020
La Placa M. Principi di Microbiologia Medica (XIV ed.), Esculapio EdiSES editore, Napoli, 2014
Marsh & Martin’s. Oral Microbiology. 6th Ed. Elsevier, 2016
Conte M.P., Berlutti F. Microbiologia medica e Microbiologia del cavo orale. Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna, 2021
Signorelli C. e coll. Igiene, sanità pubblica. Roma: Società Editrice Universo, 2021.
Barbuti S. e coll. Igiene. Bologna: Monduzzi, 2011.
Montagna M, Castiglia P, Liguori G, Quarto M. Igiene in Odontoiatria. Monduzzi Editore, 2004.
Teaching methods
The topics concerning the contents of the course will be presented and discussed through lectures. The main concepts of each topic will be exposed, emphasizing the links between the various parts of the course and encouraging the active participation of the students. Lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards, provided that further instructions on the ongoing health emergency are not implemented. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly) and will include slide presentations of the lectures.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the objectives set by the course will be carried out by means of an oral exam in presence or telepresence, with the support of the Teams platform (guide http://selma.unipr.it/). No interim evaluation is programmed. Questions on the topics relating to the course content will be used to ascertain the student’s knowledge and understanding of the scientific discipline and whether is able to use appropriately the technical-scientific language and to apply the knowledge acquired in the exercise of the profession. Failure to answer to one question, or proven inability to demonstrate at least a basic knowledge on the subject, will prevent the successful completion of the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, the attribution of the grade, expressed in thirtieths, will be based on the degree of achievement of the objectives (excellent, good, fair, fully sufficient, sufficient, in the range between 30/30 and 18/30) and on the basis of the weighted average of the scores obtained in the different modules (Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology - 6 CFU, Principles of microbiological diagnosis - 2 CFU, General and applied hygiene - 2 CFU). Honors will be awarded to students who have demonstrated particular communication and autonomous learning skills. The result of the exam is communicated immediately to the student, and, after its acceptance, is then published on the ESSE3 portal (https://unipr.esse3.cineca.it/Home.do). Students with SLD/BSE must first contact LE Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes).
Other information
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