Learning objectives
<br />Acquisition of the essential knowledge about the general characters of etiologic agents of infectious diseases (bacteria, fungi, helminths, protozoa, viruses), host-etiological agents interactions, prophylaxis and therapy (notes), drug-resistance mechanisms, nosocomial infections.<br />
Prerequisites
To pass the exams of the first semester, first year.
Course unit content
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Bacteriology<br />
General characters of prokaryotic cell<br />
Morphology of prokaryotic cell<br />
Prokaryotic cell structures (cell wall, cytoplasmic membrane, nucleus, flagella, pili and fimbriae, capsule, endospores)<br />
Notes on bacterial metabolism and replication<br />
Microbial pathogenicity<br />
Host-microbe interactions<br />
Normal flora of humans<br />
Microbial pathogenicity and potential virulence factors (adhesins, enzymes, bacterial toxins)<br />
Laboratory diagnosis of bacterial diseases<br />
Bacterial (components) detection and identification. Notes on laboratory methods (sample collection and transport, microscopic examination, cultural examination, bacterial identification, molecular biology approaches)<br />
Antibody detection (notes)<br />
Antibiotics and synthetic antimicrobial agents; methods for antibacterial susceptibility testing (notes)<br />
Important pathogenic bacteria (notes)<br />
- Staphylococci (S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci)<br />
- Streptococci (Group A beta-haemolitic streptococci, Pneumococci)<br />
- Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae<br />
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae<br />
- Mycobacteria<br />
- Enteropathogenic Gram-negative bacteria: Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Campylobacter and Vibrio<br />
- Clostridia (C. tetani, C. perfringens and C. botulinum)<br />
- Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria causing nosocomial infections: Pseudomonas and S. aureus.<br />
<br />
Mycology<br />
General characters of fungi<br />
The fungal cell, the fungal colony; Yeasts and moulds<br />
Classification of mycoses; Common human mycoses<br />
Antifungal agents<br />
<br />
Parasitology<br />
Protozoa: Lyfe cicles - notes<br />
-Intestinal parasites:<br />
Giardia intestinalis<br />
Cryptosporidium<br />
Entamoeba histolytica<br />
-Tissues and blood parasites:<br />
Toxoplasma gondii<br />
Plasmodium<br />
Leishmania<br />
Free living amebas (Acanthamoeba)<br />
- Uro-genital tract parasites:<br />
Trichomonas vaginalis<br />
Helminths: Lyfe cicles - notes<br />
- Cestodes:<br />
Taenia solium<br />
Taenia saginata<br />
Diphyllobotrium latum<br />
Echinococcus<br />
- Nematodes:<br />
Enterobius vermicularis <br />
Ascaris lumbricoides<br />
Strongyloides stercoralis<br />
Trichinella spiralis<br />
Arthropods: Lyfe cicles - notes<br />
Sarcoptes scabiei<br />
Pediculus humanus var. corporis and var. capitis<br />
<br />
Virology<br />
Morphological and structural characteristics of viruses<br />
Definition<br />
Size and morphology<br />
Chemical composition<br />
Nucleic acids<br />
Classification of viruses (notes)<br />
Viral replicative cycle<br />
Attachment<br />
Entry<br />
Uncoating<br />
Genome expression and replication<br />
Virus cultivation<br />
Laboratory animals, embryonated chicken eggs, cell cultures <br />
Cytopathic effects<br />
Laboratory diagnosis of viral infection<br />
Clinical samples (collection, transport and storage criteria)<br />
Virus (components) detection (cytologic evaluation, viral culture, rapid antigen detection, gene amplification)<br />
Antibody detection techniques<br />
Common human viral diseases
Full programme
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Bibliography
- M. Bendinelli, C. Chezzi, G. Dettori, N. Manca, G. Morace, L. Polonelli, M.A. Tufano - <br />
"MICROBIOLOGIA MEDICA: BATTERIOLOGIA, MICOLOGIA, VIROLOGIA. Gli agenti infettivi dell'uomo: biologia, azione patogena, laboratorio. " Monduzzi Editore <br />
- I. De Carneri - Parassitologia Generale ed Umana, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano. <br />
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Teaching methods
Teacher: Prof. Giuseppe Dettori.
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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