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Microbiology - C.I. (III ANNO)
PATRIZIA BAGNARELLI

Seat Medicina e Chirurgia
A.A. 2017-2018
Credits 6
Hours 60
Period 1^ semestre
Language ENG
U-gov code MU01-09-11 LS063

Prerequisites

Basic principles of Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Immunology, Anatomy.

Development of the course

The course is organized in a number of lectures arranged into three didactic units.  The unit 1 (General Microbiology - 20 hours, 2 credits) deals with basic features of microorganisms and their role as pathogens for humans, with particular attention to physiology, genetics and microbial pathogenicity, host-parasite relationships, interactions between microorganisms and antimicrobial agents, basic epidemiology, prophylaxis and diagnosis. The unit 2  (Special Microbiology - 20 hours, 2 credits) provides the student with tools for the recognition of the major pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, mycetes and protozoa). Each pathogen will be described in terms of specific microbiological and physiological characteristics; pathogenetic mechanisms, epidemiology and principles for diagnosis, therapy and prevention will also be presented. The unit 3 (Virus and viral infections - 20 hours, 2 credits) is organized into two parts.  The part one deals with general virology (virus definition, morphology, classification, replication strategies, viral pathogenesis and vaccines); the part two deals with the specific virus families focusing on their distinctive characteristics. Every single agent, considered in the context of the viral family it belongs, is treated with special attention to the structure, biology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and prevention.

Learning outcomes

• Knowledge

The principal aim of the course is to provide students with a thoroughly and complete knowledge on the microbial agents involved in a number of human infectious diseases. The student must have clear what the microorganisms are and what are the general features and mechanisms of pathogenicity of the major human pathogens, what is meant by infection and what are the mechanisms of action and resistance of the major classes of antimicrobial agents.

• Ability to apply the knowledge

At the end of the Course the student will be aware of the role of the major human pathogens in their respective infections and the leading criteria for laboratory diagnosis of infection.

• Soft skills

Knowledge of etiopathogenesis of infectious diseases and related aspects of epidemiology, immunology and prophylaxis will allow the student to deal with other medical disciplines such as Infectious Diseases, Hygiene, etc.

Program

DIDACTIC UNIT –  Basic and medical microbiology, microbial genetics

Prof. B. Facinelli

1. Definition and objectives of microbiology; historical development of medical microbiology. 2. The microbial world (viruses, procaryotes, mycetes, protozoa): cellular and non-cellular organisms, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, protists; metabolism, growth and reproduction of microorganisms. 3. Microorganisms and chemical and physical agents; disinfection; sterilization. 4. Structures and functions of bacterial cell constituents; mutations and mechanisms of genetic recombination in bacteria; plasmids and extrachromosomal genetic elements; growth curve. 5. Principles and techniques for culturing and studying microorganisms.  6. Microbial pathogenicity: principles of microbial ecology; microorganism-host relationships; colonization and infection; microbiota and microbiome; nonspecific and specific host defenses; pathogenicity and virulence of prokaryotes (adhesiveness, invasiveness, toxin production). 7. Antibiotics: mechanisms of action and mechanisms of resistance. 8. Principles of epidemiology and prophylaxis of infectious diseases: mechanisms and routes of transmission of infecting agents; exogenous and endogenous infections; anthroponotic and zoonotic pathogens; community and hospital infections; principles of microbial typing; sera and vaccines. 9. Bases of the microbiological diagnosis of infection.

 

DIDACTIC UNIT – Special Microbiology

Dott.ssa M. Mingoia

Major bacteria of medical interest: Staphylococci, Streptococci, Enterococci; sporogenic bacteria (Bacillus and Clostridium); Mycobacteria; Spirochetes; Enterobacteria; Gram-negative non-fermenters; Neisseriae; Haemophili; Bordetellae; Legionellae; Vibrios; Campylobacter; Helicobacter; Chlamydiae, Rickettsiae, Mycoplasmas.

Mycetes: biological features and classification; pathogenic activity. Classification of mycoses. Antifungal drugs. Major mycetes of medical interest: Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, filamentous fungi (Dermatophytes, Aspergilli), dimorphic fungi (Sporothrix schenckii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccioides immitis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis).

Protozoa: morphological features, transmission of protozoal infections, mechanisms of the pathogenic activity, antiprotozoal drugs. Major protozoa of medical interest: intestinal (Giardia intestinalis) and urogenital flagellates (Trichomonas vaginalis), hemoflagellates (Trypanosoma spp., Leishmania spp.), Amoebae, Sporozoa (Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma gondii).

 

DIDACTIC UNIT – Virus and viral infections

Prof. P. Bagnarelli

General virology: introduction to virology, virus structure, replication, mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and viral vaccines.

Specific Virus Families: DNA viruses (Parvoviruses, Adenoviruses, Poxviruses, Papillomaviruses and Polyomaviruses, Human Herpesviruses); RNA viruses (Orthomyxovirus, Paramyxovirus, Rubella Virus and Togavirus, Flaviviruses, Rhabdoviruses, Arenaviruses, Hantaviruses, Filoviruses, Picornaviruses, Reoviruses, Coronaviruses, Retroviruses and HIV); Hepatitis Viruses.

Development of the examination

• Methods for assessing learning outcomes:

Oral evaluation consisting of questions about different topics dealed in the program of the integrated course

• Criteria for assessing learning outcomes: 

The student will be evaluated according to the knowledge of the topics in the program and the skill showed about them.

• Criteria for measuring learning outcomes:

The final mark is awarded in thirtieths. The exam is passed when the rating is greater than or equal to 18. The highest marks with honors (30 cum laude) may be awarded.

• Criteria for conferring final mark:

The final mark is given considering the completeness of exposition for each reply, reviewing and comparing the ratings of each commissary. Honors are given following unanimous decision, when the score is already 30/30 and the student has demonstrated full mastery of the topics

Recommended reading

DIDACTIC UNIT – Prof./Dott.

• Title:                    Principi di Microbiologia Medica
• Author:                 G. Antonelli, M. Clementi, G. Pozzi, and G.M. Rossolini
• Publisher:             Casa Editrice Ambrosiana III Ed

PROFESSOR CONTACT:

OFFICE HOURS:

By phone or E-mail appointment.

Courses

• Medicina e Chirurgia