The aim of the clinical biochemistry module of the course is to allow the student to acquire basic knowledge on the clinical-diagnostic significance of the laboratory tests that explore the function of specific organs/apparatuses. This knowledge will be applied to the discussion of simple case-studies, allowing the students to put into practice the basic knowledge acquired and test their understanding of laboratory tests. Students will realize the extent and severity of deviation from the normal range of the laboratory test discussed in the module during pathological conditions. Students will be able to identify the most appropriate laboratory tests to address specific diagnostic hypotheses and evaluate the results in terms of confirming or disproving these hypotheses.
Theoretical lectures (20 hours of instructional activities) will cover the topics outlined in the course syllabus, with an interactive approach and ample opportunities for in-class practical exercises. In case of emergencies, activities may be conducted online following University guidelines. Students with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or special educational needs are required to contact the course instructor(s) and the designated SLD representative within the Department before the start of classes to agree on appropriate teaching methods and ensure the achievement of learning objectives and outcomes.
HEMATOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS
Blood count test
Iron metabolism
Anemias (morphological and pathogenetic classification)
Hemoglobinopathies
Thalassemia
Hemostasis
Laboratory indicators of haemorrhagic and thrombotic risk
DIABETES MELLITUS DIAGNOSTICS
Hormones that regulate blood sugar
Causes of hyper- and hypo-glycemia
Diagnostic criteria diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes
laboratory exams in diabetic ketoacidosis; glucose tolerance test; glycosylated hemoglobin; chetonic bodies
Clinical cases of metabolic acidosis
THE ENDOCRINOLOGICAL LABORATORY
Steroid, peptide and amino acid-derived hormones: hints on function, basal levels and conditions of hyper-/hypo-secretion
Laboratory tests in conditions of hyper-/hypo-secretion: hypothalamic-pituitary axis; thyroid; adrenal (cortico- and medullo-adrenal pathologies); male and female sex hormones
THE LABORATORY IN PEDIATRIC DISEASES
Extended newborn screening
Differential diagnosis of childhood obesity
THE LABORATORY IN DISEASES OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CSF, functions, cerebrospinal fluid examination (normal and pathological values of cytometric and biochemical examination), CSF markers of Alzheimer's disease, laboratory diagnosis of Creuzfeld-Jacob disease, diagnosis of CSF fistula.
THE LABORATORY IN DIGESTIVE DISEASES
Inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, breath test.
THE LABORATORY IN RESPIRATORY DISEASES
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, pulmonary embolism
Lecture notes on AulaWeb
Common laboratory tests - Vaughn G. Appleton & Lange
Medicina di laboratorio, M. Ciaccio et al., Edises
Ricevimento: On appointment , Prof. Maurizio Bruschi, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini. Laboratorio di Nefrologia Molecolare (Padiglione 12, fondi) Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5 – 16147 Genova (GE) E-mail: maurizio.bruschi@unige.it
Consult the detailed timetable at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
The exam will consist of a written test (multiple choice quiz) performed in person or on a digital platform, according to University’s anti-COVID instructions.
The test is passed with at least 18/30.
The final grade will be averaged (weighted average) with that of the other modules.
The exam will verify the achievement of the training objectives; in particular, the student's knowledge of the clinical significance of the biochemical-clinical parameters presented in class, of the unit of measurement in which they are expressed and of their dynamic range in the main pathologies for which they represent a diagnostic-prognostic tool.
