OVERVIEW

Microbiology is a science that studies microorganisms, microscopic organisms having an extraordinary impact on the entire life and the composition of our planet. Microorganisms and humans have a very close relationship.

Upon the completion of this course the students should know the biology of the microorganisms and their strategies to cause diseases in humans.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

General Microbiology: To know the main characteristics of prokaryotes, eukaryotes and viruses and their classification. The host-microbe interactions (symbiosis, parasitism, opportunism, colonization, infection, disease).

General Bacteriology: To know the characteristics of bacteria (bacterial structure, growth and microbial metabolism, overview of bacterial genetics). To understand the bacterial pathogenicity and virulence factors (input, adherence to host tissue, invasion, permanence, exotoxins and endotoxins, hydrolytic enzymes, antiphagocytic mechanisms), intracellular parasites and heterogeneity antigen. To know the major classes of chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics (beta-lactams, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, quinolones, chloramphenicol, macrolides, clindamycin, oxazolidinones, streptogramins, nitroimidazoles, rifampin) and their main characteristics (spectrum of action, target, pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of drug resistance). Susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance  and quantitative and qualitative determination of antibiotic activity

General Virology: To know the general characteristics of the viruses (structure and composition,  viral classification, viral replication, viral genetics overview). To understand the mechanism of viral penetration into the host,  viral transmission, spreading, tropism, virulence and cytopathic effects, persistence, latency, reactivation). To know the antiviral drugs and resistances.

Mycology and parasitology: To know the general characteristics of pathogenic fungi and parasites.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching methods include: lectures (30 total hours)

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

-Main characteristics of prokaryotes, eukaryotes and viruses and their classification.

 -The host-microbe interactions (symbiosis, parasitism, opportunism, colonization, infection, disease).

 - Characteristics of bacteria (bacterial structure, growth and bacterial metabolism, overview of bacterial genetics) .

-Bacterial pathogenicity and virulence factors (input, adherence to host tissue, invasion, permanence, exotoxins and endotoxins, hydrolytic enzymes, antifagocitari mechanisms).

-Intracellular parasites and heterogeneity antigen.

-Classification of antibiotics (beta-lactams, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, quinolones, chloramphenicol, macrolides, clindamycin, oxazolidinones, streptogramins, nitroimidazoles, rifampin).

-Antibiotics: spectrum of activity, target, pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of drug resistance. Susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance  and quantitative and qualitative determination of antibiotic activity. 

- General characteristics of viruses (structure and composition, viral classification, viral replication, viral genetics overview).

-Mechanism of viral penetration into the host, viral transmission, spreading, tropism, virulence and cytopathic effects, persistence, latency, reactivation). Antiviral drugs and resistances.

- General characteristics of pathogenic fungi and parasites.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

AA.VV. Principi di microbiologia Medica. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CLAUDIO VISCOLI (President)

ANDREA DE MARIA

EUGENIO DEBBIA

ANNA MARCHESE

MALGORZATA KAROLINA MIKULSKA

LAURA AMBRA NICOLINI

BARBARA WENDA

SANDRA RATTO (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The evaluation is carried out through the only final exam which seeks to ascertain the actual acquisition by the student of the expected learning results. To demonstrate their knowledge, the students will be able to know:

-the main characteristics of prokaryotes, eukaryotes and viruses and their classification. The host-microbe interactions (symbiosis, parasitism, opportunism, colonization, infection, disease);

-the characteristics of bacteria (bacterial structure, growth and microbial metabolism, overview of bacterial genetics);

-the bacterial pathogenicity and virulence factors (input, adherence to host tissue, invasion, permanence, exotoxins and endotoxins, hydrolytic enzymes, antiphagocytic mechanisms), intracellular parasites and heterogeneity antigen;

-the major classes of chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics (beta-lactams, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, quinolones, chloramphenicol, macrolides, clindamycin, oxazolidinones, streptogramins, nitroimidazoles, rifampin) and their main characteristics (spectrum of action, target, pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of drug resistance);

-susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance  and quantitative and qualitative determination of antibiotic activity;

-the general characteristics of the viruses (structure and composition,  viral classification, viral replication, viral genetics overview);

-the mechanism of viral penetration into the host,  viral transmission, spreading, tropism, virulence and cytopathic effects, persistence, latency, reactivation);

-the antiviral drugs and resistances;

-the general characteristics of pathogenic fungi and parasites.

A minimum mark of 18/30 is required to pass the module. The mark 30/30 with any honors will correspond to an excellent knowledge of all argoments.

Exam schedule