00714 - Microbiology (2)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the single-discipline course in Microbiology, the student has a thorough understanding of the structure and function of microorganisms, the cellular and molecular bases of microbial pathogenicity, microorganism-host interactions, and the roles of the human microbiota in both normal and disease conditions. Additionally, they have gained a foundation in the diagnostic and clinical aspects of microbiological and virological analysis, as well as microbial biotechnologies in the fields of bacteriology, virology, mycology, and parasitology.

Course contents

Introduction to the study of Medical Microbiology. Overview of infectious diseases. Role of the immune response in infections. Serological reactions. Vaccines and sera.

Bacteria. The bacterial cell: structure, metabolism, reproduction, spore production. Genetics of the bacterial cell. Cultivation and identification of bacteria. General principles of bacteriological diagnosis. Pathogenic mechanisms and identification methods for the main groups of bacteria of medical interest.

Antibacterial drugs: sulfonamides and antibiotics. Mechanism of action. Drug resistance.

Medically important bacteria: Staphylococci and streptococci. Anthrax bacillus, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacteria, Neisseria, Enterobacteria (Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella), Helicobacter, Clostridia (Clostridium tetani, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium difficile), Spirochetes, Chlamydia, Legionella, Bordetella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Haemophilus and Campylobacter.

Medically relevant protozoa: Giardia intestinalis, Trichomonas vaginalis, leishmanias, amoebae, malaria plasmodia, Toxoplasma gondii. Fungi. General characteristics of fungi. Medically relevant fungi: yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans and Candida spp), Pneumocystis carinii, Cryptococcus neoformans. Filamentous fungi or molds (Aspergillus spp). Viruses. Structure and classification. Replication mechanisms and pathogenicity. General principles of virological diagnosis. Antiviral drugs and interferon. Medically relevant viruses: Orthomyxovirus, Paramyxoviridae, Enterovirus (Poliovirus, Coxsackievirus), Rubivirus, Papillomavirus, viruses of primary hepatitis (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV, etc), Arbovirus, Coronavirus, Herpesvirus, Retrovirus.

Readings/Bibliography

Michele La Placa. Principi di Microbiologia Medica. XIV edizione.

The recommended textbook is mainly useful for the general sections, while it should be supplemented with the professors' slides for the more specific parts.

Teaching methods

During the lessons, the topics outlined in the course program will be presented and developed, leaving plenty of room for students' questions and encouraging an in-depth discussion on the issues addressed.

Assessment methods

The final exam is designed to assess the level of knowledge of the main bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi that can cause infections in humans, being able to explain their main characteristics, pathogenesis, and some hints on the diagnostic approaches that can be used.

The exam will be oral, and each student will have to answer at least 2 questions (related to the program covered) regarding basic microbiology knowledge and individual microorganisms capable of causing infection in the host.

Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

Preparation showing some gaps and analytical ability that emerges only with the teacher's help, basic concepts still present, and expression in correct language, albeit very basic → 18-20;
Preparation showing some limited gaps on topics covered in the course, basic concepts present and correct expression, even if not perfectly suitable to the situations discussed → 21-25; Good preparation and ability to make independent critical analysis choices, mastery of specific terminology → 26-28; Excellent preparation on the topics covered in the course, above-average ability to make independent critical analysis and connections, full mastery of specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflect → 29-30L.

Teaching tools

The material provided by the teachers will be made available on Virtuale

Office hours

See the website of Simone Ambretti