24796 - Biological Terrorism and Possible Pandemic

Learning outcomes

The course will study in detail the infectious agents that could be used as biological weapons, with particular regard to clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, therapeutic interventions, and prophylactic strategies for these highly fatal infectious diseases. Possible future pandemics will be also considered, with reference to the most recent world health emergencies (anthrax, SARS, and avian flu).

Course contents

1. Introduction: biological weapons.
2. Anthrax and smallpox.
3. Haemorrhagic fevers and viral encephalitis.
4. Plague.
5. Cholera and botulism.
6. Q fever and tularaemia.
7. SARS and avian flu.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Calza L. Principi di Malattie Infettive (II Edizione). Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna, 2008.
2. Cohen J, Powderly WG. Infectious Diseases (Second Edition). Mosby, Philadelphia, 2004.

3. Greenberg MI, Marty AM. Emerging natural threats and the deliberate use of biological agents. Clin Lab Med 2006; 26: 287-98.

4. Szinicz L. History of chemical and biological warfare agents. Toxicology 2005; 214: 167-81.
5. Calza L, Manfredi R, Chiodo F. La guerra biologica: una nuova sfida per la sanità pubblica. Giornale Italiano di Malattie Infettive 2002; 8: 23-9.

6. Calza L, Manfredi R, Chiodo F. Antrace. Rec Progr Med 2001; 92: 717-726.

Teaching methods

All course topics will be presented by frontal lessons and studied in depth by open debates.

Assessment methods

The assessment examination will be performed by a written test including 15 multiple-choice questions regarding all the presented topics.

The score 9 will be equivalent to the sufficiency.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides presented with a video-projector.

Students will receive hard copies of all presented slides.

Links to further information

http://www.paginadocente.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Leonardo Calza