00671 - Infectious Diseases

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will know the basic principles about epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinics, therapy and prevention of the most important infectious diseases.

Course contents

General principles of diagnosis and management of Infectious Diseases. Epidemiology of infectious diseases. Definitions. Sepsis and septic shock. Principles on antibiotic therapy.

Central nervous system infections: meningitis, meningoencephalitis, brain abscess.

Infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract. pneumonia and classification, influenza, COVID-19.

Gastrointestinal, intra-abdominal and urinary tract infections.

Bone and joint infections anche highlights on skin and soft tissue infections.

Bacteremia and infectious endocarditis.

Infections in returning travelers and tropical diseases.

Mycobacterial diseases: TB and MOTT.

Exhanthematic diseases: measles, rubella, varicella, herpes zoster, scarlet fever, and others. Other viral infections: infectious mononucleosis, herpes simplex virus infection, mumps.

HIV infection and AIDS: basic virology and immunology, epidemiology, clinical features, opportunist diseases, principles of antiretroviral therapy and prevention.

Viral hepatitis: hepatitis due to HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV.

Infections in special hosts (immunocompromised, elderly, pregnancy).

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested: L. Calza. Principi di Malattie Infettive. V Edizione. Esculapio, 2022.

For in-depht analysis: Harrison. Principi di Medicina Interna - Capitolo Malattie Infettive.

Teaching methods

During the lectures, supported by power point presentations, the topics outlined in the course syllabus will be presented and developed, with ample opportunity for student questions and in-depth discussion of the subjects covered. 

Assessment methods

Learning assessment is carried out through a final examination that verifies the acquisition of the expected knowledge by means of an oral test.

Final grade scale:

• Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and overall correct language use → 18–19

• Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and correct language use → 20–24

• Preparation on a broad range of topics covered in the course and solid command of specific terminology → 25–29

• Comprehensive preparation on all topics covered in the course and strong argumentation and self-reflection skills → 30–30 with honors

The exam will be held jointly with Microbiology in the context of the Integrated Course "INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND MICROBIOLOGY". The final grade will be the weighted average of the marks obtained in the individual parts.

Teaching tools

Lessons with PowerPoint slides as well as pdf versions of the slides provided during the lessons. The slides are available on dedicated Virtual spaces.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Cristini