84351 - Microbiology

Learning outcomes

Explain relationships and apply appropriate terminology relating to the structure, metabolism, genetics, and ecology of prokaryotic microorganisms, eukaryotic microorganisms, and viruses.

Course contents

Characteristics of bacteria of medical importance

Characteristics of viruses of medical importance

Pathogenesis of infections and host defense

Vaccines, antibacterial drugs, antiviral drugs

Microbiological diagnosis

Gram-positive and Gram-negative cocci (staphylococci, streptococci, Neisserieaeceae)

Gram-positive rods (clostridia, Bacillus anthracis, Corynebacterium diphteriae, Listeria monocytogenes)

Gram-negative rods belonging to Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter jejuni, Helicobacter pylori

Mycobacteria, other rods (Bordetella pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae, Legionella pneumophila),

Spirochetaes

Chlamydiaceae, Mycoplasmataceae, Rickettsiaceae

DNA viruses: Herpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, Adenoviridae, Parvovirus B19

RNA viruses-1; respiratory viruses

RNA viruses -2; hepatitis viruses

RNA viruses -3; retroviruses

RNA viruses -4; arboviruses

RNA viruses-5; viruses causing encephalitis, enterovirus and viruses causing gastroenteritis

Characteristics of protozoa of medical importance. Enteric protozoa. Protozoa transmitted by sexual route

Foodborne protozoa: Toxoplasma gondii. Vector-borne protozoa-1: Leishmania

Vector borne protozoa-2: Plasmodia,Trypanosoma cruzi

Characteristics of helminths of medical importance. Intestinal helminths, including Strongyloides stercoralis

Teniasis and other foodborne infections caused by helminths; schistosomiasis

Characteristics of fungi of medical importance

Medical micology

Readings/Bibliography

Patrick Murray, Ken S. Rosenthal, and Michael A. Pfaller. Medical Microbiology, 9th Edition, April 2020. Paperback ISBN: 9780323673228 , Imprint: Elsevier , Published Date:  2020, Available at the Biblioteca Biomedica.

Teaching methods

In class lectures

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a questionnaire with 40 multiple choice questions. For each question, the student will have to specify ONLY ONE ANSWER considered correct.

The final grade, out of 30, is given by the number of correct answers. For each correct answer, 0.8 points will be given. To pass the test at least 22 questions should be answered correctly.

The time available for the exam will be 45 minutes.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supported by Power Point slides. Slides will be available online at the beginning of each lecture.

The teaching material is available at https://virtuale.unibo.it/ by using student's username and password

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Varani