07732 - Clinical Pathology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the knowledge necessary to understand the diagnostic significance of the main laboratory tests performed on blood and urine samples. In particular, students will be able to:

• understand the diagnostic significance of serum protein electrophoresis, acute-phase proteins, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR);
• understand the diagnostic significance of laboratory tests used to assess primary hemostasis, secondary hemostasis, and thrombophilic conditions;
• understand the diagnostic significance of the plasma lipoprotein profile;
• understand the diagnostic significance of first-line laboratory tests for the assessment of liver function;
• understand the laboratory parameters used for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus;
• understand the laboratory parameters used for the assessment of renal function.

Course contents

• The laboratory assessment of hemostatic function. Laboratory investigations for the evaluation of platelet function, the plasma coagulation system, and the fibrinolytic system; laboratory testing for the diagnosis of hypercoagulable states. Pathophysiology of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC); laboratory markers of coagulation system activation; markers of fibrinolytic system activation; markers of coagulation factor consumption.
• First-line laboratory tests for the assessment of liver function. Bilirubin and urobilinogen; serum enzymes indicative of hepatocellular injury and cholestasis; albumin/globulin ratio; coagulation factors.
• Serum proteins. Serum protein electrophoresis; electrophoretic patterns associated with specific diseases; acute-phase proteins and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
• Laboratory tests for the assessment of renal function. Urinalysis (physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urinary sediment); blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and serum uric acid; clearance tests; renal function tests.
• The laboratory in the diagnostic evaluation of diabetes mellitus. Classification of diabetes; metabolic alterations associated with diabetes; laboratory tests for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and for monitoring patients with diabetes.
• Laboratory diagnosis of dyslipoproteinemias. Plasma lipoproteins and their metabolism; lipoproteins and atherosclerosis; quantitative and qualitative assessment of the plasma lipoprotein profile.

Readings/Bibliography

- Michael Laposata: Medicina di Laboratorio: la diagnosi di malattia nel laboratorio clinico. 2020, Piccin Nuova Libraria S.p.A. Padova. ISBN 978-88-299-3127-9

Teaching methods

lectures

Assessment methods

Final oral examination conducted jointly with the other disciplines included in the integrated course. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of the topics covered in the syllabus and on their ability to critically interpret the results of the diagnostic approaches discussed during the course. The examination will include at least two topics covered in the lectures.

Teaching tools

Students are provided with the lecture slides and supporting teaching materials in electronic format.

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Montanaro