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.Definitions of infection and infectious disease. 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: immunoglobulines, monoclonal antibodies and 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

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

The lecture notes provided by the teachers on the UNIBO’s Virtuale platform constitute the required study material for the course.

Recommended reading: Patrick Murray, Ken S. Rosenthal, and Michael A. Pfaller. Medical Microbiology, 10th Edition, May 2025. Elsevier. Available at the University of Bologna Biomedical Library. This textbook is recommended as supplementary reading for students wishing to deepen their understanding of the topics covered in the course

 

Teaching methods

• In-class lectures providing the theoretical foundations of medical microbiology.

• Active learning strategies to promote student engagement, including multiple-choice quizzes. A dedicated activity, "Microbiology in the News," invites students to read and critically discuss recent scientific publications and public health news selected by the teacher and made available on Virtuale. Resources may include reports and updates from international health organizations (e.g., WHO, ECDC, CDC) as well as articles from international news media. The aim is to place the course content within the context of current local and global public health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance, encouraging students to relate microbiological concepts to real-world events, critically evaluate scientific information, and appreciate the role of microbiology in contemporary medical practice.

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 two open questions, referring to each of the two course units (Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Microbiology). 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.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the University's Disability and Specific Learning Disorders Support Service as early as possible: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en . The Service will assess individual needs and, where appropriate, propose reasonable accommodations. Any proposed accommodations must be submitted to the course teachers for approval at least 15 days before the scheduled assessment. The teachers will evaluate the appropriateness of the requested accommodations in relation to the intended learning outcomes and the educational objectives of the course.

 

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