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 integrate with the teaching of Clinical Biochemistry to provide students with medium-advanced knowledge on all fields of laboratory medicine, to prepare students for a possible career in this direction, subject to the achievement of the Specialization Dilpoma in Clinical Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry.

The student will have to demonstrate to be able to know all the main diagnostic tests and their applications, their meaning and their limitations, and also to choose which tests are indicated in the various human pathologies. The student at the highest level of preparation will have to reach the ability to decide which exams and in what order should be performed according to the pathology considered.

TEACHING METHODS

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

NON-certification formative tests are possible during the course. They will NOT be taken into account for the outcome of the final exam.

In case of persistence of the COVID-19 emergency, the lessons can be delivered online, preferably through the TEAMS platform.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Nicola Traverso (2 CFU)

General principles of clinical pathology (part 1)

Concepts of accuracy, precision, specificity and diagnostic sensitivity, methodological specificity and sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values; quality control

Cell damage markers

Main enzymes and serum proteins of diagnostic interest

Liver function test

Enzymes of diagnostic interest for hepatocellular pathologies and biliary stasis

Bilirubin metabolism and jaundice

Diagnostic markers in viral hepatitis

Diagnostic markers in chronic alcoholism

Test for lipid metabolism

Lipoprotein and apolipoprotein classification

Reference and atherosclerotic risk values

Dyslipidemic phenotypes

Cardiovascular and homocysteine ​​risk

Renal function and balance of body fluids

Kidney function test: indicators of glomerular and tubular malfunction

Hydro-electrolyte balance: sodium, water, potassium, calcium, phosphorus

Acid base balance (blood gas analysis)

Etiology of the disorders and changes in values ​​in the conditions of metabolic and respiratory acidosis and alkalosis. Compensation mechanisms and forecast tables of expected EGA values

Anna Lisa Furfaro (2 CFU)

LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS OF INFLAMMATION

Electrophoretic profile of proteins, and acute phase proteins

PCR and ESR

Sepsis markers

Cardiac diagnostics

Laboratory diagnosis of myocardial infarction

Laboratory diagnosis of heart failure

Laboratory ONCOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS

Serum tumor markers

Liquid biopsy

Faecal Occult Blood Assay (FOBT)

THE LABORATORY IN THE DIAGNOSTICS OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATE

Nutritional status indicators

Serum vitamins and their diagnostic significance

Anna Maria Bassi (1CFU)

General principles of clinical disease (part 2)

Meaning of the laboratory test request. Exams performed in routine or in an emergency regime

Biological and physical causes of variations in results

URINALYSIS

Extemporaneous sample examination and timed collection examination.

Physico-chemical examination of urine

Urinary sediment examination

Measurement of physiological and pathological chemical components (ions, salts, proteins, glucose, ketone bodies, amino acids, enzymes, bilirubin)

LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS FOR THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection

Serum markers of pancreatitis

Giampaola Pesce (1 CFU)

THE LABORATORY IN AUTOIMMUNE AND TRANSPLANT PATHOLOGIES

Laboratory diagnostics in autoimmune diseases.

Additional seminar:

Histocompatibility test (Invited lecturer, prof Alessandro Poggi, 2 hours)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the material that the teachers will use during the lessons will be made available to the students of the course for study purposes through aulaweb.

A useful and comprehensive treatise on laboratory medicine is

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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ELENA ZOCCHI (President)

ANNA MARIA BASSI

ANNA LISA FURFARO

GIAMPAOLA PESCE

NICOLA TRAVERSO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester of the academic year of reference (indicatively beginning of March)

Class schedule

CLINICAL PATHOLOGY