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

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Objectives:
General Microbiology: to know the characteristics of microorganisms useful to isolate them from clinical samples in the laboratory and the microbiological bases of antibiotic use.
Clinical microbiology: to know the basic principles in the direct and indirect microbiology diagnosis of infectious diseases
Clinical microbiology: to know the microbiological diagnostic flow-charts that can be used for the diagnosis of respiratory tract (high and low tracts), uro-genital tract, gastro-enteric tract, central nervous system, cardiovascular system infections and sepsis.
Clinical microbiology: to know the microbiological diagnostic flow-charts that can be used for opportunistic infections in the immunocompromised patient

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching methods include: lectures (30 total hours)

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Differential characteristics for the identification of the following microorganisms: Staphylococci, Streptococci, Pneumococci, Enterococci,
Mycobacteria, Neisseria, Hemophiles, Moraxella, atypical germs, Enterobacteria, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Clostridia, Fungi (candida and aspergillus), Herpesvirus, HIV, Hepatitis, Paramyxovirus, HPV.
Microbiological diagnosis (direct-indirect diagnosis, executive protocols, microscopic examination, culture, antibiogram, molecular microbiological techniques, ELISA, IF
Microbiological diagnosis of respiratory, uro-genital, cardio-circulatory infections (blood culture and endotoxin test), gastro-enteric, central nervous system
Microbiological diagnosis of HIV and opportunistic infections in the immunocompromised patient

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Microbiologia Clinica a cura di E.A. Debbia.  Casa Editrice Esculapio

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANDREA DE MARIA (President)

MALGORZATA KAROLINA MIKULSKA (President)

ANTONIO DI BIAGIO

DANIELE ROBERTO GIACOBBE

ANNA MARCHESE

ANTONIO VENA

MATTEO BASSETTI (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.