Structural and functional characteristics of bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, and their interaction with the host. Mechanisms of microbial pathogenicity. Diagnostic laboratory microbiology, general principles and specific applications. Antimicrobial compounds for bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, and mechanisms of resistance. Microbiological bases for development.
• Principi di Microbiologia Medica - La Placa - Soc. Ed. Esculapio/Edises
• Microbiologia Medica - Murray - Ed. Elsevier
• Microbiologia Medica - Antonelli et al. - Casa Ed. Ambrosiana
Learning Objectives - Part B
Students shall acquire knowledge concerning:
- Main morphological and structural characteristics of bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, and their growth.
- Principles of microbial taxonomy.
- Interactions between microbes and host, and mechanisms of microbial pathogenicity for bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses.
- Host defences against infectious agents.
- Mechanisms of action of antibacterial, antimicotic, antiparasitic and antiviral agents, and mechanism of microbial drug resistance.
- Principles of laboratory diagnosis of bacterial, viral, micotic, and parasitic infections, and methods for in vitro evaluation of susceptibility to antibacterial, antimicotic, antiparasitic and antiviral agents.
Students shall be able to apply these knowledge to the most important human pathogens.
Prerequisites - Part B
Propaedeutic disciplines as approved by the course framework
Teaching Methods - Part B
Formal lectures and E-learning
Type of Assessment - Part B
Written test: multiple choice questions. The written test evaluates the student's ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course, demonstrating that he has achieved the objectives set by the specific module. The difficulty level of the test questions corresponds to the program performed. If resolved completely and without errors, 30 points are awarded; the test is deemed to have been passed if the evaluation is at least 18 points.
Course program - Part B
Bacteriology
Definition, structure and function of fundamental and accessory components of the bacterial cell. Bacterial classification based on their respiratory type and their energetic and nutritional metabolism. Principles of bacterial cultivation. Bacterial growth at the cellular and population level. Use of microscopy for bacterial observation, and main bacterial stains. The bacterial spore: structure and features; sporulation and germination. Mechanisms of bacterial pathgenicity and interaction with host specific and nonspecific defense mechanisms. Principles of bacterial genetics (bacterial genomes structure, mutations, mechanisms of gene exchange among bacteria). Antibacterial drugs: mechanisms of action and mechanisms of drug resistance. Bacterial biofilms and role in infections. The human microbiota: composition, physiological role, and role in the pathogesis of infectious diseases. Bacterial identification and principles of diagnostic bacteriology.
Specific knowledge of bacteria involved in the most common and important infectious diseases with reference to their classification, mechanisms of pathogenicity and diagnostic aspects: Clostridium, Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Mycobacterium, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria, Haemophilus influenzae, Bordetella pertussis, Brucella, Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter, Helicobacter pylori, Vibrio, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, Legionella, Chlamydiae, Mycoplasmas, Rickettsiae, Spirochaetes.
Micology
General characteristics of yeasts, molds and dimorphic fungi. Structure and function of the fungal cell. Fungal reproduction and implications for their identification and taxonomy. Fungal classification. Mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity. mechanisms. Principles of diagnostic mycology. Antifungal agents: mechanism of activity and mechanisms of resistance. Most important caused of fungal diseases: Candida, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus, dermatophytes , Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Histoplasma, Pneumocystis.
Parasitology
Classification of the parasites of medical interest. Structural characteristics and life cycles of the most important protozoa of medical interest. Pathogenesis of the main diseases caused by protozoa in humans (Malaria, Toxoplasmosis, Leishmaniasis, Giardiasis, Amoebiasis, Trichomoniasis). Structural characteristics and life cycles of the most important helminths of medical interest. Pathogenesis and features of the most important diseases caused by elminths: Ascaridiosis, Teniasis, Oxyuriasis, Schistosomiasis, Strongyloidiasis. Brief overview on Ectoparasites as human pathogens. Laboratory diagnosis of parasitic diseases. Notes on anti-parasitic drugs.
Virology
Discovery of viruses. Nature and characteristics of the viruses. Methods to study viruses. Virus-cell interactions and main replication strategies of viruses. Cell transformation by viruses. Virus-host interaction and antiviral defenses. Acute, latent and persistent viral infections. Slow viral infections and notes on prions. Antiviral agents and mechanisms of antiviral resistance. Oncogenic viruses. Passive and active immunoprophylaxis. Principles of diagnostic virology.
Specific knowledge of viruses causing the most common and important infections, concerning epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and antiviral treatments: Herpesviridae; Hepatitis viruses A,B,C,D,E; Influenza viruses; Paramyxoviridae (main respiratory viruses, measles and mumps viruses); Picornaviridae; Human polyomavirus and papillomavirus; Human immunodeficiency viruses; viruses causing gastroenteritis; Emerging Viruses: Hantavirus, Paramixovirus (Hendra and Nipah), Filovirus (Ebola, Marburg) Arbovirus, Coronavirus ; Monkeypox; viral infections in pregnancy.