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Microbiology - mod. BASIC AND MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND MICROBIAL GENETICS
PIETRO EMANUELE VARALDO

Seat Medicina e Chirurgia
A.A. 2013-2014
Credits 2
Hours 20
Period Corso annuale
Language ENG
U-gov code MU01-09-11 LS013D

Prerequisites

Preliminary  knowledge of basic subjects such as Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Anatomy.

Development of the course

The course is aimed at providing the student with fundamental concepts regarding microorganisms and their role as pathogens for humans. Basic elements will also be provided about microbial physiology and pathogenicity, host-parasite relationships, and interactions between microorganisms and antimicrobial agents, and about the principles of epidemiology, prophylaxis and diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Learning outcomes

At the close of the course, the student is expected to be clear-headed about microorganisms, with emphasis on the general features and the virulence mechanisms of the major human pathogens. The student is also expected to be clear-headed about the concept of infection, and about the mechanisms of action of and resistance to the major classes of antimicrobial agents. He/she should know the main techniques to study microorganisms in medical microbiology. Finally, he/she should be aware of the infective role of the major individual human pathogens.

Program

1. Definition and objectives of microbiology; historical development of medical microbiology. 2. The microbial world: 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. Viruses: structure and classification; replication cycle and virus-host interactions; lytic cycle, persistence, latency, cell transformation; bacteriophages; antiviral drugs and interferon; viral oncogenesis. 5. Prokaryotes: structures and functions of the bacterial cell constituents; mutations and mechanisms of genetic recombination in bacteria; plasmids and extrachromosomal genetic elements; growth curve; mechanisms of action of antibiotics and mechanisms of resistance. 6. Fungi: biological features and classification; outline of mycoses; antifungal drugs. 7. Protozoa: biological features and classification; protozoan diseases; antiprotozoan drugs. 8. Particular features of the major human pathogens. 9. Principles and techniques for culturing and studying microorganisms. 10. Microbial pathogenicity: principles of microbial ecology; microorganism-host relationships; colonization and infection; microbiota e microbiome; nonspecific and specific host defenses; pathogenicity and virulence of prokaryotes (adhesiveness, invasiveness, toxin production); special issues of the pathogenic activity of viruses, fungi, protozoa and other parasites. 11. Principles of epidemiology and prophylaxis of infectious diseases: mechanisms and routes of transmission of infecting agents; exogenous and endogenous infections; anthroponotic and zoonotic diseases; community and hospital infections; principles of microbial typing; sera and vaccines. 12. Microbiological diagnosis of infection.

Development of the examination

Oral examination.

Recommended reading

Principi di Microbiologia Medica - Edited by G. Antonelli, M. Clementi, G. Pozzi, G.M. Rossolini - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Courses

• Medicina e Chirurgia