67130 - Microbiology and Pathology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has knowledge of the biology and pathogenesis of microorganisms and viruses and in particular knows the aetiological agents of toxinfections and of the main infectious diseases. The student also has basic knowledge of general pathology, immunopathology, oncology, general and organ-specific pathophysiology and knows the nomenclature of human diseases and the basic medical terminology.

Course contents

MICROBIOLOGY - Prof. Elisabetta Manaresi

Bacteria
Structure of the prokaryotic cell: general characteristics, study techniques, shape and arrangments, genome, cytoplasm, plasma membrane, cell wall (organisation and structure of peptoglycan and of the cell wall in Gram+, Gram-), external membrane, external structure (capsule, pili, flagelli)
Bacterial reproduction, bacterial sporae
Bacterial metabolism: general characteristics; mechanisms of phosphorilation, energetic metabolism (fermentation, respiration, aerobiosis and anaerobiosis); macromolecular synthesis (DNA, RNA, proteins, peptoglycan)
Bacterial genetics: bacterial chromosome, accessorial genetic elements (plasmid, insertion sequences, trasposons); evolution of bacterial genomes: mutations, ricombination, transmission of genetic materials (transformation, conjugation, transduction)
Bacterial pathogenesis: exogenous and endogenous infections, mechanisms of host colonisation; mechanisms of pathogenesis, bacterial exotoxins and endotoxin; immunity and infectious processes
Bacterial cultivation: culture media, bacterial growth, isolating and maintenance cultures, bacterial counts, antibacterial drug susceptibility testing
Bacteria of medical relevance: staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, bacilli, clostrida, enterobacteria, listeria monocytogenes, vibrio, campylobacter, pseudomonas, legionella

Viruses
Viral Structure: characteristics of viral genomes and virion structure (genome, capsid, pericapsid)
Viral Replication: general characteristics; phases of the viral replicative cycle (attachment, penetration, uncoating, macromolecular synthesis: viral replicative strategies, assembly)
Bacteriophages: structure and viral replicative cycle
Viral Pathogenesis: virus-cell interaction; kind of infection (cytocidal, persistent, latent, transforming); dynamics of the infectious process (penetration, localization and viral multiplication, viral transmission)
Viral Cultivation: cell cultures, virus isolation and titration, virus identification

Fungi: general biological characteristics, mechanisms of replication and pathogenesis; cultivation and counts, mycotoxins

Protozoa: general biological characteristics

 

PATHOLOGY - Prof. Maurizio Brigotti

Introduction to general pathology: homeostasis, etiology and pathogenesis

Acquired etiologic factors: chemical agents (ethanol, tobacco smoke, metals, pneumoconiosis); physical agents (thermal injuries, ionizing and nonionizing radiations).

Cellular adaptations: atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia

Intracellular accumulations: water and electrolytes, lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)

Cell injury and cell death: causes, general biochemical mechanisms; necrosis and apoptosis

Hemodynamic disorders: Atherosclerosis. thrombosis (Virchow's triad, venous, arterial and cardiac thrombi), pulmonary and systemic embolism, ischemia and infarction, edema (pathophysiologic categories of local and generalized transudative edema)

Acute inflammation: vascular changes; cellular events; chemical mediators; outcomes of acute inflammation: resolution, fibrosis

Chronic inflammation: definition and causes, persistence of injurious agents (non-specific chronic inflammation, chronic suppurative inflammation), primary chronic inflammation (granulomatous diseases).

Healing and repair: wound healing.

Systemic effects of inflammation: acute phase reactions, fever.

Immunology and immunopathology: innate and specific immunity; vaccines, primary and secondary lymphoid organs; maturation of lymphocytes; antigens; primary and secondary immune response; cells of immune system; presentation of antigens; immunoglobulins; complement system; ABO system; antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immunity; major histocompatibility complex; transplantation; hypersensitivity reactions; autoimmunity.

Neoplasia: definitions and nomenclature, characteristics of benign and malignant neoplasms (differentiation and anaplasia, rate of growth, local invasion and metastasis). Epidemiology (cancer incidence, geographic and environmental factors, heredity). Molecular basis of cancer (oncogenes, cancer-suppressor genes). Biology of tumor growth (kinetic, angiogenesis, tumor progression, mechanisms of invasion and metastasis). Etiology of cancer (chemical, physical and microbial carcinogenesis)

Readings/Bibliography

Eudes Lanciotti
Principi di Microbiologia
Zanichelli Ed. Bologna, 2008

Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi
Microbiologia generale, volume 1
di Madigan Michael T., Martinko John M.
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Maurizio Parola
PATOLOGIA GENERALE
EdiSES

Teaching methods

The university course is based on lectures (partly on-line).

Slides are available for downloading at the University web site (Virtuale).

Assessment methods

Oral final examination for both the learning modules; the final grade is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in the two modules of Microbiology and Pathology and is based on the ability of the candidate to show a deep and integrated knowledge of specific issues.

The examination is intended to assess the achievement of the following learning objectives:

- knowledge of the biology and pathogenesis of microorganisms and viruses

- knowledge of the causes of human diseases (aetiology), and in particular of the aetiological agents of toxinfections and of the main infectious diseases

- knowledge of the basic pathogenetic mechanisms

- knowledge of the specific and non specific response of the organism to injury

Electronic registration on AlmaEsami is required and the verbalization of the final grade will be performed on the indicated date.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the exams will be held at distance with Microsoft Teams platform. Students should register as usual in Almaesami, and will receive an e-mail with the link.

Teaching tools

Lectures given by the professor (video-projectorand PC).

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Manaresi

See the website of Maurizio Brigotti