AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module provides the fundamental knowledge to evaluate the results of the main laboratory diagnostic analyses. In addition to the general methodological skills and to the knowledge of the most important instruments, the module provides the general clinical pathology expertises (accuracy and precision, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, methodological sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive value, normal range , decision-making levels) and investigates their clinical significance related to the various pathological conditions (e.g. inflammatory pathologies, cell damage and tumors, ect.). This module and the Clinical Biochemistry module will provide students with the fundamental skills of Laboratory Medicine.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching of Clinical Pathology will be integrated with the teaching of Clinical Biochemistry to provide students with intermediate-advanced knowledge on all fields of laboratory medicine, to prepare students for a possible career in this direction.

The teaching provides the tools of knowledge and competence so that the student becomes able to understand and interpret the main diagnostic tests and their applications, their meaning and their limits, and also to choose which tests are indicated in the various human pathologies.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching will be delivered essentially through lectures, during which the teacher will try to involve students interactively.

NON-certifying formative tests are possible during the course. These will NOT be taken into account for the final exam result.

In the event of a health emergency or weather alert, lessons may be delivered online, preferably via the TEAMS platform, live, according to the University directives.

Students who have a valid certification of physical or learning disability deposited at the University and who wish to discuss possible concessions or other circumstances regarding lessons, assignments and exams, should speak to both the teacher and Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), contact person for the Department for Disabilities.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Nicola Traverso

General principles of clinical pathology

Concepts of accuracy, precision, diagnostic specificity and sensitivity, methodological specificity and sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values. Biological variability. Measurement variability. Interferences. Errors. Quality control.

Markers of cellular damage

Main enzymes and serum proteins of diagnostic interest in the diagnosis of cell damage and death.

Liver function tests

Enzymes of diagnostic interest for hepatocellular diseases and bile stasis

Bilirubin metabolism and jaundice.

Lipid metabolism tests

Lipoprotein and apolipoprotein classification

Reference values ​​and atherosclerotic risk

Dyslipidemic phenotypes

Cardiovascular risk and homocysteine

Renal function and body fluid balance

Renal function tests: indicators of glomerular and tubular malfunction

Fluid-electrolyte balance: sodium, water, potassium

Acid-base balance (blood gas analysis). Etiology of acid-base disturbance and changes in values ​​in conditions of metabolic and respiratory acidosis and alkalosis. Compensatory mechanisms and forecast tables of expected ABG values

Urine test

Examination on extemporaneous sample and examination on timed collection. Physical-chemical examination of urine. Urinary sediment examination

Cardiac laboratory diagnostics

Laboratory diagnosis of myocardial infarction and heart failure.

Anna Lisa Furfaro

Laboratory diagnostics of inflammation

Electrophoretic profile of proteins and acute phase proteins. Sepsis markers

Oncology laboratory diagnostics

Classification of tumor markers, clinical applications and diagnostic methodologies. Circulating tumor markers. Tissue and molecular tumor markers. Liquid biopsy. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

The laboratory in the evaluation of nutritional status

Nutritional status indicators. Serum vitamins and their diagnostic significance

The laboratory in transfusion medicine and transplants

Blood groups

Donor-recipient compatibility

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSC)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teachers will make available on Aulaweb, once lessons have finished, the teaching material regarding the topics covered.

A useful and comprehensive treatise on laboratory medicine is

Henry's, Clinical diagnosis and managements by Laboratory methods, Elsevier

Useful manuals can be:

Antonozzi. Gulletta. Laboratory medicine. Piccin

Ciaccio. Lippi. Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Edises

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester of the academic year of reference.

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates dependent on the sanitary and epidemic situation.

Class schedule

CLINICAL PATHOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

See indications on the information sheet of the Integrated Course in  Laboratory Medicine.

During the exam, the rules regarding the assessment method of DSA certified students or students with other educational needs indicated by the university will be respected. (e.g.: additional time in the case of written exams, use of concept maps to be viewed for approval by the teachers at least one week before the exam date).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

See indications on the information sheet of the Integrated Course in  Laboratory Medicine.

During the exam, the rules regarding the assessment method of DSA certified students or students with other educational needs indicated by the university will be respected. (e.g.: additional time in the case of written exams, use of concept maps to be viewed for approval by the teachers at least one week before the exam date).