Learning objectives
The objectives of the course are to enable the acquisition of knowledge and understanding about the basics of microbiology (general characters of etiologic agents of infectious diseases, host-pathogen interactions and
pathogenesis of infectious diseases, prophylaxis and therapy, drug resistance mechanisms, nosocomial infections), and provide the ability to apply the knowledge and understanding in occupational contexts in the
approach to the patient with infectious diseases.
Other important objectives of course are to enable the acquisition of knowledge and understanding the mechanism of proliferation and cell death, the mechanism of response to injury (inflammation, hemostasis, tissue repair), the pathogenesis of some human genetic diseases, the biological characteristics of the tumors, as well as the essential mechanisms of the immune response and its alterations, with particular reference to applications in transfusional medicine and to the aspects of interest in nursing.
The course will allow the student to apply the knowledge and understanding gained in the professional future.
Prerequisites
Sufficient knowledge of biology, anatomy, biochemistry and physiology are needed to address the topics of the course.
Course unit content
MICROBIOLOGY:
Morphological and structural characteristics of microorganisms and viruses and their replication.
Cultivation of microorganisms and viruses.
Normal microbial population of humans.
Microbial pathogenicity.
Antimicrobial agents.
Important microorganisms and viruses causing diseases in humans.
Laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases.
GENERAL PATHOLOGY:
General alteration of growth and death, cellular and molecular oncology, genetic and metabolic diseases and general physiopathology. Blood and hematopoiesis and components of innate and acquired immune system. General features of acute and chronic inflammation and immunopathology. Immunoemathology and transfusional medicine.
Full programme
MICROBIOLOGY:
Introduction: microorganisms and viruses.
1.Virology. Morphological and structural characteristics of viruses. Viral replicative cycle. Virus cultivation. Common human viral diseases.
2. Bacteriology. The general characters of bacteria. Host-microbe interactions. Normal microbial population of humans. Microbial pathogenicity. Important pathogenic bacteria. Antimicrobial agents.
3. Parasitology. The general characters of protozoa. Common human protozoa infecting tissues and blood, intestinal and urogenital tracts. Helminths (notes).
4. Mycology. General characters of fungi. Classification of mycoses. Common human mycoses. Antifungal agents.
5. Laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases. Pre-analytical phase: sample collection. Detection and identification of the etiologic agent. Antibody detection. Methods for antibacterial and antifungal susceptibility testing.
GENERAL PATHOLOGY:
Cellular Pathology: Cellular alterations of growth and differentiation. Hyperplasia, hypertrophy, atrophy, metaplasia, dysplasia. Necrosis and apoptosis.
Oncology: classification and nomenclature; Benignant and malignant tumors; Tumor aetiology; Fundamentals in molecular oncology; invasivity and metastasis; pathogenesis of neoplastic diseases. Grading and staging.
The blood: composition, cells, general pathophysiology. Anemia and Thalassemia syndromes. Leukemia and lymphoma. Phases and event of the haemostatic response. Hemorrhagic disorders; thrombosis and
embolism; infarction.
Inflammation: events of acute inflammation; the exudate; types of exudate; phagocytosis; chronic inflammation and granulomas; abscesses and ulcers; chemical mediators of inflammation; systemic effects of inflammation and fever; tissue repair.
Genetic disorders: mutations; monogenic diseases: examples of autosomic dominant, autosomic recessive and X-linked disorders; cytogenetic disorders.
Multifactorial disorders: atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus.
Innate and adaptive immunity: distinction and cooperation. Antigens and Antibodies. Ag-Ab interaction. Lymphocyte receptors.
The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). Functional anatomy of the immune response. Lymphocyte activation and effector functions. Primary and secondary reaction. Principles of vaccination. Immune response to infections. Hypersensitivity. Primary and secondary hypersensitivity and immunodeficiency reactions, hints. HIV infection. Autoimmunity. Elements of Immunohematology: Blood groups. The AB0 system. The Rh system. Other blood group systems. Hemolytic disease of the newborn. Blood sampling for transfusion and blood components. Transfusion complications. the grafts.
Bibliography
MICROBIOLOGY:
Visual aids made available online.
Harvey R.A., Champe P.C., Fisher B.D. Le basi della microbiologia Con approfondimenti clinici. Zanichelli
GENERAL PATHOLOGY:
- Parola M. “Patologia Generale ed elementi di fisiopatologia” EDISES
- Pontieri G.M. “Patologia generale e fisiopatologia generale” PICCIN
- Lakhani S. “Le basi della patologia generale” CEA editrice
-V. Del Gobbo "Immunologia per le lauree sanitarie" Piccin
Didactic resources used during lessons (ie, PowerPoint slides) have to be considered an integral part of the reference bibliography; they will be available on the Elly site, on the course page.
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.
Lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly) and will include slide presentations.
The teacher is available for clarifications on lessons by appointment (agreed by e-mail) in the office or at a distance via Teams, or through chat on the Elly portal of the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of learning outcomes and the achievement of the objectives set by the course initially will be based on a written examination in Microbiology, during which the student will be asked to answer ten questions, eight of which as multiple-choice tests (it will be sufficient to tick the correct option), and two "open" questions, i.e. without answer options, for which the student himself will have to provide the correct answer. The written examination will be considered passed in case of six correct answers, of which at least an answer to one of the two "open" questions. After passing the Microbiology exam, students will access the Physiopathology oral examination. The whole exam will be considered passed only if a positive evaluation of both tests (Microbiology and Physiopathology) is obtained, demonstrating in-depth knowledge and adequate understanding skills, as well as the potential ability to apply the knowledge acquired in the approach to the patient. The final grade will consider the evaluation of all the teachers who make up the Board of Examiners.
Students with Specific Learning Disorders must contact the University Reception and Inclusion Centre in advance (cai@unipr.it).
Other information
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