Learning objectives
Objective of the Course is to allow the student to mature a deep knowledge of the main infectious diseases of major epidemiologic relevance in Italy and to develop the scientific knowledge necessary to manage correctly the main pathologies which can be acquired though travels in other endemic areas of the world. Theoretical knowledge derived from interactive oral lessons will be integrated through a reasoned evaluation of representative clinical cases.
Prerequisites
Optimal understanding of the topics which will be debated in the Course requires basic knowledge of microbiology and immunology in particular, which are essential to understand correctly pathogen life cycle and pathogenesis of related diseases, as a basis for the comprehension of the different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches applied in the clinical practice.
Course unit content
The Course will provide the scientific basis for diagnosis, correct clinical management and prevention of the infectious diseases of major relevance in our geographical area and of infections related to travels in areas where different pathogens are endemic. The main topics of the Course include: tuberculosis, meningitis, malaria, viral hepatitis, HIV infection, bacterial endocarditis, sepsis, as well as the main concepts of antibiotic therapy
Full programme
In the integrated course, the following topics will be covered: tuberculosis (epidemiology, basics of etiology and pathogenesis, pulmonary and extrapulmonary clinical manifestations, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects); meningitis (bacterial forms, with particular reference to meningitis caused by meningococcus, pneumococcus, and listeria; tuberculous and viral forms as well as viral encephalitis; aspects of diagnosis, therapy, and prophylaxis); malaria (etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, therapy, and prophylaxis). Infections caused by hepatitis B and C viruses (life cycle, immunopathogenesis of liver damage and viral persistence, epidemiology and natural history, clinical aspects, and basics of therapy); liver diseases caused by other viruses (HAV, HEV, delta, EBV, and CMV) and differential diagnoses with other non-viral liver diseases; HIV infections (basics of virus biology and pathogenesis; epidemiology, natural history, opportunistic diseases, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS; diagnostic aspects and basics of therapy). Endocarditis (diagnosis, main etiological agents, and therapy). Antibiotics (classes of antibiotics, main aspects of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, reading of the antibiogram).
Bibliography
Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious diseases. Leonardo Infectious Diseases: A Clinical Short Course, 4th Edition
English edition, Frederick S. Southwick.
Calza. Principi di malattie infettive. Società Editrice Esculapio.
Mauro Moroni, Roberto Esposito, Fausto De Lalla. Malattie Infettive. Società Editrice Masson
Teaching methods
Lectures conducted with the aid of slides. The lectures will take place in person
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam which will consist of questions related to the topics covered by the lessons to evaluate the level of learning of the individual topics and the capacity of the student to apply the theoretical knowledge to clinical situations simulated during the examination.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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