B6080 - Veterinary Microbiology and Epidemiology

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of bacterial and viral microorganisms, their structural organization, diagnostic techniques for their identification, and the main mechanisms of the immune response. Furthermore, the student knows the main methods of description and epidemiological characterization of animal infectious diseases and is able to apply the main tools of veterinary epidemiology and interpret the results of epidemiological studies.

Course contents

The Course of Veterinary Microbiology and Epidemiology consists in 3 modules: Module 1 Virology, Module 2 Bacteriology and Immunology and Module 3 Epidemiology.

Module 1 Virology (12 hours academic lectures and 5 hours practical lessons)

• General features of viruses
• Morphology and chemical composition
• Virus-host interaction
• Viral replication, Baltimore classification
• Viral genetics: mutation. Recombination, reassortment
• Laboratory diagnosis of viral disease
• Taxonomy and classification of viruses
• Fish viruses of veterinary importance

Practical lessons: traditional (cell culture-based) and molecular (PCR-based) methods to diagnose viral infection/diseases

Modulo 2 Batteriologia e Immunologia (18 hours academic lectures and 7 hours practical lessons)

• General bacteriology: functional structure of the bacterial cell and bacterial growth
• Bacterial genetics: mutations and ricombinations
• Bacteria as pathogenic agents: microorganism-host interaction and pathogenic properties of bacteria
• Methods for microorganism control: physical and chemical agents in the control of microorganisms, antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance
• Special bacteriology: classification of bacteria, Eubacteria Gram-negative, Gram positive and without cell wall
• General properties of immune responses
• Antigens and immunogenicity
• Innate immunity
• Adaptive immunity, humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity
• Mucosal immunity and passive immunity
• Vaccines

Practical lessons: Bacteria detection methods; Serology

Modulo 3 Epidemiology (26 hours academic lectures and 2 hours practical lessons)

• Introduction to epidemiology: historical information, definition, basis
• The aim and scope of epidemiology
• Causality: associations, causal inference and causality; statistical significance
• Ecology of diseases: factors related to the presence, maintenance and transmission of infectious diseases in animal population; difference between infection and disease; factors related to etiological agent, host and environment
• Diagnostic tests: the way to choose and evaluate diagnostic tests; specificity, sensitivity, predictive value and detection limit
• Measures and frequency: prevalence, incidence, mortality and fatality rate
• Disease trends in relation to the time: endemic, epidemic and sporadic trends
• Sampling: samples and population; sample size; sampling methods
• Surveillance: definition, goals and mechanisms
• Different types of epidemiological surveys

  Practical lessons: diagnostic tests and sampling (team group).

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1. Virology

Poli G., Dall'Ara P., Anna Martino P., Rosati S. Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria, IV Edizione, EDRA, Milano, 2026.

or

Scagliarini A., Battilani M., Ciulli S., Balboni A., Gallina L. Manuale di virologia veterinaria (Prima edizione), Bonomia University Press, Bologna, 2013.

Powerpoint slides, video used in class and quiz are available at https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Module 2. Bacteriology and Immunology

Poli G., Dall'Ara P., Anna Martino P., Rosati S. Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria, IV Edizione, EDRA, Milano, 2026.

Tizard I., Veterinary immunology: an introduction, 11th Ed. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 2024.

Powerpoint slides and videos used in class are available at https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Module 3. Epidemiology

Bottarelli E., Ostanello F. Epidemiologia: teoria ed esempi di medicina veterinaria. Edagricole, Milano, 2011 ISBN-978-88-506-5347-8

http://www.quadernodiepidemiologa (Bottarelli E.)

Thrusfield M. Veterinary epidemiology. Third edition. Blackwell Science Ltd. Oxford UK, 2005

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical laboratory sessions. During the practical sessions, particular emphasis is placed on the application of the concepts introduced during the theoretical lectures. Practical activities for Modules 1 and 2 are carried out in fully equipped teaching laboratories under the supervision of the instructors. Practical sessions for Module 3 consist of group-based classroom exercises.

Considering the practical activities included in the course, attendance requires successful completion of the University health and safety training. During laboratory activities, students are required to wear a laboratory coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided when required.

Assessment methods

The final examination aims to assess the achievement of the main learning outcomes. The assessment includes questions designed to evaluate both the students' knowledge and their ability to integrate and relate the topics covered during the theoretical lectures and practical sessions.

Student assessment for Module 1 (Virology) and Module 2 (Bacteriology and Immunology) is based on a written examination. For each module, the written examination consists of a 1-hour test including 12 questions: 9 true/false questions, worth 1 point each if answered correctly or 2 points if the correct answer is appropriately justified, and 3 open-ended questions, each worth a maximum of 5 points.

Each written examination is passed with a minimum score of 18/30. Students may reject the final grade in accordance with the University Regulations.

During the written examination, the use of textbooks, electronic devices or any other supporting materials is not permitted. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

The assessment for Module 3 (Epidemiology) consists of a separate oral examination lasting approximately 20 minutes, during which students are required to answer two questions covering the topics addressed during the course.

The oral examination assesses students' communication skills, their ability to synthesize information, and their capacity to integrate knowledge across the different topics covered during the course.

The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

The examination is considered passed when the student obtains an overall grade of at least 18/30. In evaluating the oral examination, the instructor refers to the following grading scale:

18–19 → Knowledge of only a very limited number of topics covered in the course; analytical skills demonstrated only with the guidance of the instructor.

20–24 → Knowledge of a limited number of topics covered in the course; ability to carry out independent analysis of focused issues.

25–29 → Broad knowledge of the topics covered in the course; ability to perform independent and critical analysis.

30–30 with honours → Comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered in the course; ability to perform independent, critical and integrative analysis, with evidence of personal reflection.

The result of the oral examination is communicated at the end of the examination session. Students may reject the final grade in accordance with the University Regulations.

The final grade for the course Veterinary Microbiology and Epidemiology is calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in the individual assessment components. The course examiner responsible for recording the final grade is Prof. Sara Ciulli.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, projector, educational videos, the University of Bologna Virtual Learning Environment (Virtuale), teaching laboratories for microbiology and virology, and epidemiological software.

Office hours

See the website of Sara Ciulli

See the website of Caterina Lupini