69870 - Bacteriology and Immunology

Learning outcomes

At the end ofthis course the student acquires the basic principles of bacteriology and immunology necessary for the study of the main mechanisms governing the relations between causative agent and animal host; the studentknows the main methods for diagnosis and immunization.

Course contents

At the end of the integrated course of Microbiology and Parassitology the student acquires knowledge of basic principles, correct terminology, taxonomy, morphology, biology and host interactions of the virus, bacteria  parasites and mycetes which are more common and important in Veterinary Medicine, with regard also to Public Health. The student knows the the basic principles of immunology and immunization and the main methods for diagnosis used in virology, bacteriology, parasitology and mycology.

Academic lectures (25 hours)

Bacteriology

General bacteriology: functional structure of the bacterial cell and bacterial cultivation;

Bacterial genetics: mutations and ricombinations;

Bacteria as pathogenic agents: interaction microorganism-host and pathogenic properties of bacteria;

Methods for microorganism control: physical and chemical agents in the control of microorganisms, antibiotics and antibiotic-resistance;

Special bacteriology: classification of bacteria, Eubacteria Gram-negative, Gram positive and without cell wall.

Immunology

General properties of immune responses;

Antigens and immunogenicity;

Humoral immunity;

Mucosal immunity and passive immunity;

Cell-mediated immunity;

serology

Practicals (8 hours)

Bacteriological assay: direct microscopical evaluation; bacterial isolation; colonies identification with MALDI-TOF and genotypic identification; antimicrobial susceptibility evaluation.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Poli G., Cocilovo A., Dall'Ara P., Martino P.A., Ponti W.,  Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria, II Edizione, UTET, Torino, 2005.

Tizard I., Veterinary immunology: an introduction, VII Ed. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 2004.

Powerpoint presentations used by the teacher during the course and uploaded in IOL (https://iol.unibo.it)

Teaching methods

The theoretical lectures take place in a teaching room properly supplied with multimedia equipment. The practical lectures, carried out in a properly equipped teaching lab, provide for a constant presence of the teacher with introductive and explanatory discussions. Every practical training activity is carried out singly by the students and submitted to discussion with the teacher.

Assessment methods

The examination of the teachings of virology and bacteriology and immunology takes place at the same time, it is not possible to support the two parts separately and the single parts of the exam that could be overcome are not considered valid.

Student assessment will be based on a final written test and an oral exam.

The written test consists of questions aimed at ascertaining the knowledge acquired by the student on different topics dealt with during the theoretical lectures and practical training activities. During the test, no books and  electronic devices will be allowed. The test consists of 9 general and special bacteriology and immunology questions with “true/false” response of 1 point value if correctly answered or 2 points if the response is also reasonably explained and 3 open questions that will mark 0 to 5; the test will be passed when a minimum mark of 18 points out of 30 will be obtained; an unsuccessful test involves repeating the test by the candidate. In the event of a successful outcome (at least 18 points out of 30) the candidate may perform an oral examination of about 20 minutes discussing the results with the teacher to clarify the main gaps.

If the candidate not come to the oral exam, the mark obtained in the written test will be automatically accepted and registered.

If the student assessment could not be carried out in the presence but only online, it will only consist of the oral exam and will last about 20 minutes. In this case, the aim of the oral exam is to verify the acquisition of knowledge related to the course contents. The oral exam consist in two or three main questions relating to the topics covered during the course and is considered passed if the student answers correctly. The evaluation of the candidate's preparation may require additional questions. Particular attention is paid to the student's ability to connect the concepts of the various parts of the course with information derived from lessons from previous years. In the evaluation of the candidate's responses, particular attention is paid to the acquisition of a logical-deductive content method.

During the tests, the use of support materials such as textbooks, notes and IT supports is not allowed.

 

The exams of the three courses included in the integrated course of “Microbiology and Parasitology” will be always taken on the same date.

The final score of the course "Microbiology and Parasitology" consists of the synthesis of the final evaluations of the three courses that compose it.

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Teaching tools

PC video-projector, web-connected PC, teaching lab

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Piva