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.Some thousands of microbial species, collectively known as microbiota, live in our body and plays useful functions, instead other species, pathogens, may cause morbidity.The students should know the biology of the microorganisms and their strategies to cause diseases in humans.

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.

Systematic Bacteriology: Virulence factors and mechanisms of patogenicity of the following microorganisms:S. aureus, S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, Entrobatteriaceae, Pseudomonas, Emofili, Neisserie, Moraxelle, Clostridi, H. pylori, Micobatteri, germi atipici  e V. cholerae

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.

Systematic Virology:mecanisms of patogenicity of the following viruses: herpesvirus, virus delle epatiti, HIV,  HPV, virus dell'influenza

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

At the end of the course the student will be able:

- to gain a deep knowledge about the different pathogenic microorganisms and their relationship with humans;

- to comprehend pathogenic mechanisms and virulence factors of bacteria;

- to know the main classes of chemotherapy agents and antibiotics;

- to comprehend pathogenic mechanisms of viruses and to know the main antiviral drugs;

- to know the main features of pathogenic fungi and parasites.

The teaching methods include: lectures (30 total hours)

-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.

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

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.