Experimental Pathology, is the branch of medicine treating the aetiology of  the diseases and their different processes through the microscopic or molecular examination of organs, tissues, cells, or body fluids from diseased organisms. Another  important aspect involved in this field concerns the analysis of the mechanisms by which the body defends itself against infections and, in particular, what happens when the Immunological System  doesn’t work properly.

The course of  Experimental Pathology  aims to transmit to the student a deep knowledge about  aetiology and  phathogenesis of the diseases.

Students will also study all the different immunological mechanisms involved in the immune responses both in normal and pathological conditions.

These studies should be considered as preparatory for planned clinical subjects in subsequent years.

Teaching is divided into 90 hours of classroom lectures on all the topics of the program. These topics are explained by the teacher through PowerPoint presentations and all the lessons are saved and shared on Aula Web. However, the teachers always recommend the use of a textbook to expand the overall view of the subject. Students should attend at least 75% of the whole course

Concepts of health and disease, aetiology, pathogenesis.

Causes of disease:

Chemical and drug injury.

Injury by physical agents (ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, thermal and electrical injury).

Injury by free radicals.

Nutritional diseases.

Biological causes of disease: pathogenesis of bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Bacterial toxins. Superantigens. Tetanus. Dyphteria. Streptococcal and poststreptococcal diseases. Cytopathic and non cytopathic viruses. HBV, HCV. influenza. Malaria.

Cellular pathology:

Cell injury and cellular adaptations. Regressive processes. Atrophy. Degenerative processes. Lysosomal storage diseases. Cell death: apoptosis and necrosis.

Inflammation:

Acute inflammation. Inflammatory cells. Innate immunity receptors. Innate immunity defects. Chemical mediators of inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines. Chemokines. Leukocyte migration.

Systemic effects of inflammation. Acute phase response. Septic shock. Classification and outcome of acute inflammation. Chronic inflammation. Granulomas. Autoinflammatory disorders.

Immunology and Immunopathology

The Immune System: Cells and Tissues of the Immune System. General features of the Innate and Adaptive  Immune response. Origin and maturation of T and B lymphocytes. The Antigen receptors gene rearrangement ( Immunoglobulin and T Cell receptors)

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) . The antigen processing and presentation to T Lymphocytes. Dendritic Cells. Activation of T Lymphocytes. Effector mechanisms of Cell mediated Immunity. Cytotoxic and Helper T cells subpopulations

The Cytokines. Natural Killer Cells (NK) B cell activation and Antibody production. The effector mechanisms of Humoral Immunity

Immunity to Pathogens. Mucosal Immunity. The Hypersensitivity Reactions. The congenital and acquired Immunodeficiencies. The Immunological Tolerance and Autoimmunity. Systemic and organ specific autoimmune disease. The vaccines. Transpantation Immunology. The immunity to tumors

Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Bases of Disease - Elsevier.

Rubin’s Pathology – Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine.

Parham - The immune system. Garland Science.

Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai - Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Elsevier.

Mak, Saunders - Primer to the Immune Response. Elsevier.

Kuby - Immunology. Macmillan.

The final examination consists of a 30 minutes interview in the presence of the course teachers. The student, in the presence of the committee, should demonstrate the ability to critically dicuss all the subjects covered in the questions. The exam is positive if the evaluation is not less than 18/30. A  very good capability to expose arguments in a sinthetic and clear way is greatly appreciated.  The maximum vote (30/30 with honours) is obtained in the presence of particularly high and excellent competences.

The evaluation is carried out only through the final exam, aimed at verifiying the real acquisition by the student of the expected learning results.

A minimum mark of 18/30 is required in order to pass the exam.

The student will have:

- to know the etiological basis and the pathogenic mechanisms of human diseases and how to analyze their main cellular and molecular aspects;

- to understand the different immunological mechanisms involved in the immune response and to know the diseases associated to the dysfunction of the immune system.

The following items will contribute to the final mark:

- ability to critically discuss the requested topics;

- accuracy, clarity, synthesis and fluency;

- competence in the subject;

- correct use of language.

The mark 30/30 with honors will be assigned when the knowledge of the subject is excellent.

Students have the opportunity to contact the teacher by e-mail and ask for an appointment depending on the needs.