72834 - Immunology and Pathology

Learning outcomes

Students will have an understanding of pathology and general causes of diseases: genetic diseases, cell and tissue injury (chemical, physical and biological causes, mechanisms and consequences), the body reaction to injury (acute and chronic inflammation, regeneration and healing), physiology of the Immune system (innate and acquired immunity, antibodies, B and T lymphocytes), oncology (genetic and cell mechanisms underlying spontaneous and experimental neoplasm development), cardiovascular pathology.

Course contents

Introduction to Pathology. The concept of health and disease, of aging, of etiology. Basis of medical terminology.

Cellular pathology. Cellular adaptations, reversible cell injury, apoptosis and necrosis. Inflammatory-reparative response. Etiology and classification of acute inflammation, chemical mediators, vascular changes and exudate formation, cellular events and phagocytosis. Chronic and granulomatous inflammation, tissue repair and wound healing, fibrosis. Systemic manifestations of inflammation: acute phase response and fever.

Diseases of immunity. Cells and tissues of the immune system. The complement system. Antigens and antibodies. Histocompatibility molecules. Hypersensitivity reactions. Transplant rejection. Immunologic tolerance. Mechanisms of autoimmune diseases.

Genetic diseases. Cytogenetic disorders involving autosomes and sex chromosomes. Transmission patterns of single-gene diseases: autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked disorders. Disorders with multifactorial inheritance.

Neoplasia. Characteristics of benign and malignant neoplasms. Tumour classification. The molecular basis of cancer. The multistep process of carcinogenesis. Metastasis. Molecular markers in solid tumors.

Readings/Bibliography

Celotti F., "Patologia Generale e Fisiopatologia", 2a edizione, Edises

Kumar V., Abbass A.K., Fausto N., Aster J.C. “Robbins - Fondamenti di Patologia e Fisiopatologia”, 9a edizione, Elsevier Italia 2010

Albi E., Ambesi-Impiombato F.S., Curcio F., Moncharmont B., Palese A. "Le Basi Cellulari e Molecolari delle Malattie". Edizioni Idelson-Gnocchi.

Pontieri G.M. "Elementi di Patologia Generale". Edizioni Piccin.

Teaching methods

5CFU as taught class. 1 CFU will deal withanalysis of histopathology slides (on line available too): hydropic and fatty change, coagulative and colliquative necrosis, acute inflammation, tissue repair and scar formation, chronic inflammation (TBC and foreign body granuloma),atherosclerosis, neoplasms (benign and malignant neoplasm).

Assessment methods

The final grade is defined through an exam that aims to verify the acquisition of the knowledge required by the course program.


The oral exam will consist of two open questions and the recognition of a histological preparation.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supplied on informatic supports (https://virtuale.unibo.it/)

Office hours

See the website of Dario De Biase