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.

After completing this module 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

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 properties of viruses, virus purification. Structure of viruses. Cultivation of viruses, methods of titration. Principles of virus taxonomy. Classification of animal viruses. Replication of animal viruses. Virus genetics. Viral taxa of veterinary concern. 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. Immunity at body surfaces. Passive immunity: natural and artificial. Vaccines.

 

Epidemiology

Aims of veterinary epidemiology and ecology of infectious diseases within animal and human populations in time. Disease transmission and significance of the epidemiological triangle. Mathematical and statistical methods in the investigation and control of infectious disease outbreaks. Collection of epidemiological data, the interpretation of field and laboratory observations and approaches for the rational design of control strategies.

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.

Course slide

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 teacher 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 teacher.

Assessment methods

The examination is oral and consists in several questions aimed at verifying the knowledge and the aptitude to link the different topics dealt with during the course.

Teaching tools

Light board, slide projector, PC video-projector, teaching lab,  network connected PC, epidemiological software.

Links to further information

http://www2.vet.unibo.it/staff/OSTANELLO/

Office hours

See the website of Fabio Ostanello

See the website of Renato Giulio Zanoni