76209 - Clinical Microbiology

Learning outcomes

Define the general characteristic of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi and helminths Describe the routes of transmission for infections of medical importance Discuss the establishment of host-parasite interaction Describe the basic concept of prophylaxis and antimicrobial and antiviral therapy, including mechanism of drug resistance Describe characteristics, pathogenesis, and clinical aspects for bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi and helminths of medical relevance Recognize and discuss the clinical meaning of microbiological findings within the diagnosis of infectious diseases

Course contents

1.Characteristics of bacteria of medical importance

2.Characteristics of viruses and protozoa of medical importance

3.Pathogenesis of infections and host defense

4.Prophylaxis of infections: serum, immunoglobulines, vaccines

5. Microbiological diagnosis

6. Antibacterial drugs and antiviral drugs, mechanisms of drug resistance

7. Biotechnologies in the diagnosis of bloodstream infections

8. Biotechnology and human microbiota

9. Gram-positive cocci (staphylococci, streptococci)

10. Gram-negative cocci (neisserieaeceae) and Gram-positive rods (clostridia)

11. Gram-negative rods belonging to Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter jejuni

12. Mycobacteria

13. Spirochetaes

14. Enteric protozoa. Other foodborne protozoa (Toxoplasma gondi)

15. Vector-borne protozoa: leishmaniasis, malaria

16. DNA viruses: Herpesviridae, Papillomaviridae

17. RNA viruses: Coronaviridae and influenza viruses

18. RNA viruses: retroviruses

19. RNA viruses: arboviruses

20.RNA viruses: hepatitis viruses

Readings/Bibliography

Patrick Murray, Ken S. Rosenthal, and Michael A. Pfaller. Medical Microbiology, 9th Edition, April 2020. Elsevier. Available at the Biblioteca Biomedica

Teaching methods

In-class lectures

Assessment methods

Student learning will be checked at the end of the course through a written test divided into two parts. The first part consists in carrying out a test composed of 20 multiple choice questions with 4 possible answers, of which only one is correct; 1 point will be awarded for each correct answer, without any penalty in the event of a wrong or missing answer. The second part consists in the answer to 2 open questions, referring to each of the 2 modules; each answer will be awarded from 0 to 6 points based on the candidate's ability to present the arguments in a correct, concise and complete way. The maximum time for performing the test will be 50 minutes. The student needs to reach 18 points to pass the exam. The final grade will be derived from the sum of the points acquired in both parts. The examination is passed having acquired at least 18 points. Honors will be awarded to candidates who have achieved a total of 31 or 32 points. To take the test, students will need to register via AlmaEsami by the deadline set by the application and are required to know their Institutional credentials.

The results will be published on Almaesami in the students' reserved area by a date specified for each exam session and indicated on Almaesami. Students who wish to reject the grade must notify the commission within 2 working days from the publication. In absence of any notification the exam results will be registered.

 

Teaching tools

In-class lectures will be supported by Power Point slides. Slides will be online available 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

See the website of Vittorio Sambri