Ateneo - UPO

The course will cover the major human infectious diseases, starting with basic concepts such as infection/colonization, transmission patterns, and nosocomial infections. Various syndromes will be described, including infectious endocarditis, central nervous system infections, skin and soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract and abdominal infections, HIV, tropical diseases, tuberculosis, and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. Students will also be introduced to the epidemiology of resistant bacteria, as well as infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship. In addition to traditional lectures, the course will include interactive activities such as investigations and clinical case management.

"Malattie Infettive" - Mauro Moroni , Roberto Esposito , Spinello Antinori - Editore:Edra - IX Edizione - 30 aprile 2026 - ISBN:8821456706

The course objectives include knowledge of the most common infections and their etiologies, the ability to apply this knowledge in the diagnostic management of clinical cases, and self-assessment of acquired knowledge of infectious diseases through differential diagnosis. Additional specific objectives include:
- Analyze interactions between microorganisms and hosts and between microorganism populations
- Understand antibiotic resistance, risk factors for MDR infections, and methods for preventing healthcare-associated infections
- Identify the modes of human-to-human transmission of major infectious diseases and methods for preventing them
- Describe an infectious disease based on Definition, Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Etiology, Pathogenesis, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, Differential Diagnosis, Therapy/Treatment Principles, Complications
- Acquire knowledge of the major infectious "syndromes" and discuss them in terms of differential diagnosis and prioritization of diagnostic tests: Fever and Urinary Symptoms, Fever and Altered Consciousness, Fever and Leukopenia, Traveler's Fever Returning from the Tropics, Fever and Hemorrhagic Symptoms, Sepsis, Systemic and Focal Infections (Hepatic, Renal, Splenic, Cerebral, etc.).

Students must have acquired basic knowledge of Microbiology, Anatomy, and Pathology.

Lectures, interactive discussions, and self-study materials.

Additional information/explanations can be obtained by email at andrea.calcagno@uniupo.it

Multiple-choice questions with only one correct answer and a possible oral discussion. The written/oral exam will primarily assess reasoning skills regarding epidemiology, infections, diagnosis, complications, and differential diagnosis, usually following a clinical presentation applied to individual patients.

1. Introduction to Infectious Diseases
a. Colonization and Infection
b. Microbiomes
c. Emerging Pathogens
d. Zoonoses and One Health
e. Transmission and Isolation
f. Infectious Disease Counseling in Practice
2. Cardiac Infections
3. Skin and soft tissues infections
4. Osteomyelitis, spondylodiscitis and prosthetic infections, diabetic foot infection
5. Mononucleosis (and mononucleosis-like syndromes), Toxoplasma, Brucella, Leptospira, Leishmania, Q fever, Rickettsiosis, Haemorrhagic fever, Lyme Disease, Babesia/Anaplasma
6. Intra-abdominal infections
7. Meningitis and meningo-encephalitis, space-occupying lesions
8. Respiratory Tract infections and Aspergillosis
9. Tuberculosis
10. NTM
11. Sexually transmitted infections and PrEP
12. HIV and AIDS
13. AMR, Nosocomial infections (including HAP and VAP; CVC-BSI and candidemia, CDID), infection control and Antimicrobial stewardship
14. Tropical Diseases: Malaria, Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, Neglected tropical diseases (tripanosomiasis, Yellow fever, Typhoid fever, Schistosomiasis, Japanese encephalitis)
15. Urinary tract infections

Acquisition of in-depth knowledge of the main infectious diseases, their transmission routes, and their prevention. Expression of knowledge in appropriate scientific language. Application of skills to real-world clinical cases through clinical reasoning.