00278 - General Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know main biological characteristic of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi.

The student will know the human pathogenic microorganisms and their role in diseases of infection, with particular regard to the oral cavity.

Specifically, the student will be able to:
-know and use tools to prevent diseases from infection;

-understand the role of the immune response in infections and how to be able to search for and identify antibodies by serological and molecular biology reactions;

-know the importance and use of serums and vaccines in the dental field;

-know the various forms of resistance: bacteria, bacterial spores, fungal spores, and how these can be eliminated by disinfection and sterilization.

Course contents

Main characteristics of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Pathogenic role of microorganisms and the host defenses.

Biological risk. Vaccines and sera

Antimicrobial drugs and mechanisms of resistance.

Microbiological and serological diagnostic methods

Bacteria of human interest (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Spirochaetes, Neisseria, Micobacteria, Corinebacteria, anaerobes, Haemophilus, Bordetella, Enterobacteria, Legionella)

Fungi of human interest (Candida spp)

Viruses of human interest (Herpes virus, HIV, HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HPV)

Oral microbiota. Microbiology of caries, dental and gum diseases.

Readings/Bibliography

Updated teaching materials from the lectures are made available on the Virtuale platform.

For reference and further study: Murray Patrick et al., Microbiologia Medica, EDRA, Nona Edizione, 2021: ‘Microbiologia del cavo orale’ Maria Pia Conte, Francesca Berlutti (Editor: Esculapio)

Teaching methods

During the lectures, the topics included in the course syllabus will be presented and developed. Ample time will be devoted to students’ questions, encouraging in-depth discussion of the subjects covered.

Assessment methods

Oral examination with at least 3 questions about the course contents

The examination will evaluate whether the students have mastered the above listed skills and have reached the teaching objectives. The final oral examination will focus on specific questions about bacteriology, virology and mycology (the mechanisms of pathogenesis, routes of transmission, microbiological diagnosis, therapy and vaccines) and the etiopathogenesis of dental and gum diseases.

Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical skills that emerge only with the help of the teacher, expressed in an overall correct language: 18-19

Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to autonomous analysis only on purely executive matters, expression in correct language: 20-24

Preparation on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis, use of specific terminology: 25-29

Exhaustive preparation on the topics covered in the course, ability to make independent choices of critical analysis and connection, use of specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflection → 30-30L

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

The lecture slides, in PDF format, will be made available by the instructors in the designated online course spaces.

AI can be a useful tool to support individual study through further exploration of topics, content summaries, and self-assessment activities.

Office hours

See the website of Tiziana Lazzarotto

See the website of Claudio Foschi