AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning objectives: to provide basic knowledge on the biological-structural organization of the bacterial and viral cell, on opportunistic pathogens and on the different types of infection of clinical interest, on the pathogenic power of the different microorganisms, on the main classes of drugs used in antibacterial therapy and on the resistance mechanisms related to each class.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

the course aims to:

-raise awareness of the structural and functional characteristics of the main microorganisms of clinical interest, with particular attention to virulence mechanisms,
explore the different relationships between microorganisms and the human host,
-provide a general knowledge of the main microbiological diagnostic investigations, examining those useful for choosing the drug,
- understand the main mechanisms of action of the main classes of antibacterial drugs and those underlying drug resistance.

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

- know the fundamental structural and biological differences of the main microorganisms of clinical interest

- understand how bacteria and viruses cause infectious processes;

- understand the ways in which an endogenous or exogenous infection occurs;

- understand the information provided by drug sensitivity tests carried out in vitro;

- know the mechanism of action of antibiotic drugs and those of resistance by bacteria

TEACHING METHODS

The microbiology course is organized in frontal lessons, held by the teacher. The topics are illustrated through PowerPoint presentations (shared directly with the students) and supported by the always recommended consultation of a specific textbook.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department ( Prof. Luca Raiteri, Luca.Raiteri@unige.it ) before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific learning methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. VERY IMPORTANT: any request for compensatory tools and adaptations in the exam MUST be done within 10 working days before the date of the exam according to the instructions that can be found at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Bacteriology

- Notes on the main bacterial staining techniques

- Bacterial cell structure

- The spore and notes on clinical spore formers (C.tetani, C.difficile, C.botulinum, C.perfringens, B.anthracis, B.cereus)

- Conjugation, transformation and transduction

- “Normal” bacterial population and opportunistic germs

-General information on infectious diseases (infection routes, transmission, exogenous/endogenous infection)

-Pathogenic action of bacteria: exotoxins and endotoxins (biofilms)

-Etiological diagnosis of infectious disease, AST (Antibiogram, MIC, MBC, e-test)

-Main classes of antibacterial drugs: mechanisms of action and bacterial resistance

Virology:

- Viruses: morphology, structure and replication models

- Pathogenic action of viruses

- Special virology: HPV, Influenza viruses, HIV

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Jawetz – Melnich- Adelberg’s  “Microbiologia Medica”   Piccin
• Antonelli-Clementi“Microbiologia medica”- Ambrosiana
• Murray- Rosenthal- Pfaller “Microbiologia Medica”  EdiSES
• M. La Placa “Microbiologia medica”  Esculapio
• N. Carlone «Microbiologia farmaceutica» Edises II Ed

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

BARBARA MARENGO (President)

ANNA MARIA SCHITO (President Substitute)

CINZIA MARIA DOMENICOTTI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

As per the DIFAR Unige calendar

Class schedule

MICROBIOLOGY (MODULE)

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test whose outcome, together with the grade for General Pathology, will contribute to the final grade.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

In addition to the study and mastery of the subject, the ability to respond in a relevant manner to the question and to extrapolate connections within the different topics will be taken into consideration.

Exam schedule