Learning objectives
Students have to know general characteristics of the pathogenic factors related to microorganisms and viruses. In addition, they must be able to apply this knowledge in the workplace.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of biology, biochemistry and physiology are suitable to understand the course topics successfully.
Course unit content
Main morphological and structural characteristics and life cycle of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites (protozoa).
Resident microbial population.
Pathogenicity of microorganisms and viruses. Antibacterial and antifungal drugs.
Main protozoa of medical interest.
Full programme
BACTERIOLOGY
Structural and functional characteristics of the prokaryotic cell. Comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Sporogenesis and germination. Metabolism and curve of growth. Host-bacterium interactions. Resident bacterial population. Mechanisms of pathogenicity. Antibacterial drugs. Mechanisms of resistance to antibacterial drugs.
MYCOLOGY
General characteristics of fungi. Structure of the fungal cell and fungal colony. Yeasts and moulds. Reproduction of fungi. Mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity. Fungal dimorphism.
VIROLOGY
General features of viruses. Morphology and structure of viruses. Nucleic acids of viruses. Host-virus interactions: steps of viral infection. Effects of virus replication on host cell (productive and abortive infection; lysogeny; virus-induced transformation). Viral interference. Classification of viruses.
PARASITOLOGY
General features of protozoa. Life cycle of principal blood and tissue parasitic protozoa: Plasmodium sp., Leishmania, Toxoplasma gondii, free-living amoebae. Life cycle of the principal intestinal parasitic protozoa: intestinal amoebae (Entamoeba histolytica), Flagellates (Giardia intestinalis), Coccidia (Cryptosporidium spp.). Life cycle of the principal genito-urinary parasitic protozoa (Trichomonas vaginalis).
Bibliography
MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA. BATTERIOLOGIA E VIROLOGIA (ed. 2019)
Maria Pia Conte, Paola Mastromarino
Società editrice Esculapio
MICROBIOLOGIA E MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA
Per le Professioni Sanitarie e Odontoiatria (Terza Edizione)
Simona De Grazia, Donatella Ferraro, Giovanni Giammanco
Pearson Editore
MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA
(Quinta Edizione)
Eudes Lanciotti
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
LE BASI DELLA MICROBIOLOGIA (con approfondimenti clinici)
Harvey R. A., Champe P. C., Fisher B. D.
Zanichelli Editore
DE CARNERI PARASSITOLOGIA GENERALE E UMANA
A cura di Fabrizio Bruschi Edoardo Pozio (Quattordicesima edizione)
Zanichelli Editore
Teaching methods
Lectures accompanied by visual aids will be used to convey critical information on the topics relating to the course content. Lessons will be carried out with the help of slides elaborated by the teacher; lessons will be open to wide discussion with the participation of the students. Lessons will be carried out with the help of slides elaborated by the teacher. According to the regulation of the Italian Government and the University of Parma about the COVID-19 pandemics, the present course is realized with frontal lessons. In particular, the teacher takes lessons in the classroom with the support of Powerpoint slides; the latter will be loaded in the Elly portal of the course. The teacher is available for further explanations in office or by distance via Teams after e-mail appointment, or via chat on Elly platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
The outcomes of learning will be verified through an oral examination. By questions regarding the topics of the course it will be determined whether the student has achieved the goal of basic knowledge in the field, in order to access the following years of the bachelor course in TLB.
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, after acceptance, it will be published on the ESSE3 portal (https://unipr.esse3.cineca.it/Home.do). the event of a new health emergency, if it will be necessary to carry out the exams in distance mode, we will proceed by the Teams platform. For distance exam modes, please refer to the University guidelines at http://selma.unipr.it/.
Other information
The program of the course of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology I, that includes two modules, Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology A and Diagnostic Techniques of Clinical Microbiology A, carried out by two teachers, could be divided/reorganized between the teachers holding the two modules, in full compliance with the program itself and with the assigned teaching commitment.
