16621 - Microbiology and Veterinary Epidemiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, the student acquires knowledge on bacterial and viral pathogenic microorganisms, their structural and metabolic organization, and diagnostic techniques. Furthermore the student knows the main methods of description and epidemiological characterization of animal infectious diseases and is able to apply the main tools of veterinary epidemiology and interpret the results of epidemiological studies.

Course contents

Microbiology and Immunology

Microorganisms and diseases: Koch's postulates. Study of microbial structure: microscopy . Procaryotic cell structure. Microbial nutrition and growth : common nutrient requirements, culture media, isolation of pure cultures, the growth curve, the influence of environmental factors on growth, measurement of microbial growth. Control of microorganisms by physical and chemical agents. The pattern of microbial death. Microorganism and host: basic concept of infectious disease, mechanisms of bacterial virulence, bacterial toxins. Taxonomy and classification of bacteria, phenotypic and genotypic methods. Bacterial genetics: mutations and recombination. Antibiotic resistance, minimum inhibitory concentration, disc diffusion method. Bacterial taxa of veterinary concern. General features of viruses. Relationship virus-host. Viral replication and genetics. Taxonomy and classification of virus. Laboratory diagnosis of viral disease. Introduction to immunology. General properties of immune responses. Antibodies: structure and functions. Antigens. Antibody binding of antigens. Antigen receptors and accessory molecules of T lymphocytes. The major histocompatibility complex. Antigen processing and presentation to T lymphocytes. Activation of B and T cells. Immunologic tolerance. Effector mechanisms of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Serological tests. Immunity at body surfaces. Passive immunity: natural and artificial. Vaccines. Adjuvants. Classical and molecular methods in clinical microbiology.

Epidemiology

The aim of the course is to give a knowledge on epidemiology and control of infectious diseases of animals to give the means to understand and use epidemiological tools in veterinary medicine. In particular, the objective is to provide information on quantitative methods, diagnostic tests, evaluation of risk factors, surveillance systems and development of epidemiological studies.

The specific program includes:

1 Introduction to epidemiology: historical information, definition, basis.

2 The aim and scope of epidemiology.

3 Causality: associations, causal inference and casuality; statistical significance.

4 Ecology of diseases: factors related to the presence, maintenance and transmission of infectious diseases in animal population; difference between infection and disease; factors related to etiological agent, host and environment.

5 Diagnostic tests: the way to choose and evaluate diagnostic tests; specificity, sensibility, predictive value and detection limit.

6 Measures and frequency.

7 Disease trends in relation to the time: endemic, epidemic and sporadic trends.

8 Sampling: samples and population; sample size; methods.

9 Surveillance: definition, goals and mechanisms.

10 Different types of epidemiological surveys.

11 Risk assessment.

12 Molecular epidemiology.

 

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.
• Bottarelli E., Ostanello F. Epidemiologia veterinaria. Teoria ed esempi di medicina.Il Sole 24 Ore Edagricole, 2011.
• Thrusfield M. Veterinary epidemiology. Third edition. Blackwell Science Ltd. Oxford UK, 2005.
• Bottarelli E. Quaderno di epidemiologia veterinaria.
• Poerpoint presentations used by the teachers during the course and uploaded in AMS Campus (http://campus.unibo.it)

Teaching methods

The theoretical lectures take place in a teaching room properly supplied with multimedia equipment, with the backing of power-point slides. The practical lectures, carried out in a properly equipped teaching lab, provide for a constant presence of the teachers and its co-operators together with the students, with introductive and explanatory discussions. Every practical training activity is carried out singly by the students and submitted to discussion with the teachers.

Assessment methods

The final examination does not only verify that students have attained the necessary knowledge and skills (both practical and intellectual) required, but also provides feedback to students and supports effective learning.

The assessment methods are:

• Structured oral examinations consists in several questions aimed at verifying the knowledge and the aptitude to link the different topics dealt with during the course
• Problem-solving questions
• Essay questions, testing understanding, analysis, synthesis and critical thinking

Teaching tools

PC video-projector, web connected PC, teaching lab,epidemiological software.

Office hours

See the website of Renato Giulio Zanoni

See the website of Caterina Lupini