03415 - Microbiology and Hygiene

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has knowledge of the biology and pathogenesis of microorganisms and viruses; knows the aetiological agents of toxinfections and of the main infectious diseases; is able to apply basic microbiological techniques for the isolation and identification of microorganisms and viruses. The student has also knowledge of the main aspects of hygiene, with a focus on the principle of epidemiology and the prevention of infectious diseases.

Course contents

FRONT TEACHING MODULE (5 CFU)

Bacteria
Structure of the prokaryotic cell: general characteristics, study techniques, shape and arrangments, genome, cytoplasm, plasma membrane, cell wall (organisation and structure of peptoglycan and of the cell wall in Gram+, Gram-), external membrane, external structure (capsule, pili, flagelli)

Bacterial reproduction, bacterial sporae

Bacterial metabolism: general characteristics; mechanisms of phosphorilation, energetic metabolism (fermentation, respiration, aerobiosis and anaerobiosis); macromolecular synthesis (DNA, RNA, proteins, peptoglycan)

Bacterial genetics: bacterial chromosome, accessorial genetic elements (plasmid, insertion sequences, trasposons); evolution of bacterial genomes: mutations, ricombination, transmission of genetic materials (transformation, conjugation, transduction). Drug resistance

Bacterial pathogenesis: exogenous and endogenous infections, mechanisms of host colonisation; mechanisms of pathogenesis, bacterial exotoxins and endotoxin; immunity and infectious processes

Bacterial cultivation: culture media, bacterial growth, isolating and maintenance cultures, bacterial counts, antibacterial drug susceptibility testing

Bacteria of medical relevance: staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, bacilli, clostrida, enterobacteria, listeria monocytogenes, vibrio, campylobacter, pseudomonas, legionella

Viruses
Viral Structure: characteristics of viral genomes and virion structure (genome, capsid, pericapsid)

Viral Replication: general characteristics; phases of the viral replicative cycle (attachment, penetration, uncoating, macromolecular synthesis: viral replicative strategies, assembly)
Bacteriophages: structure and viral replicative cycle

Viral Pathogenesis: virus-cell interaction; kind of infection (cytocidal, persistent, latent, transforming); dynamics of the infectious process (penetration, localization and viral multiplication, viral transmission)

Viral Cultivation: cell cultures, virus isolation and titration, virus identification

Fungi: general biological characteristics, mechanisms of replication and pathogenesis; cultivation and counts, mycotoxins

Protozoa: general biological characteristics

Hygiene guidelines

 

LABORATORY MODULE (1 CFU)

Gram staining. Preparation of bacterial culture media, preparation of isolating and pure cultures, identification of bacterial species.

Air and surface sampling and determination of relative bacterial load. Preparation of serial dilutions of a sample, plating on agar medium and colony counting.

Test to evaluate the antibacterial activity of a compound in solid medium.

Readings/Bibliography

Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi
Microbiologia generale, volume 1
di Madigan Michael T., Martinko John M.
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Slides are available for downloading at the University web site: https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Teaching methods

The university course is based on lectures and on a laboratory with supporting tutors. Attendance at the laboratory activities is mandatory.

For admission to the practical laboratory activities, students must acquire the certification on specific safety training by attending modules 1, 2 and 3 (in e-learning mode; https://elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/).

Assessment methods

Oral final examination. Electronic registration on AlmaEsami is required.

At the end of the practical activities, students are expected to prepare a summary report on their laboratory experiences.

The exam will be held in presence unless there is a public health emergency or flooding in the country, in high-risk areas as defined by the new regulations, and/or if the student has a health condition (to be assessed by the DSA service)—cases will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and if they meet the requirements, the exam may be held via the TEAMS platform.

Students with learning disabilities or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the responsible office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. Requests for accommodations must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the instructor, who will assess the appropriateness of the accommodations, taking into account the course objectives.

The use of AI tools during the exam is prohibited in any form. Any use of such tools constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Lectures given by the professor (video-projector and PC) and laboratory protocols.

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Manaresi