Ateneo - UPO

The course will encompass the description of the general characteristics and clinical relevance of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

"Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology for Nurses" by Simona De Grazia (Pearson)
"Principles of Medical Microbiology" (2nd Edition) by Guido Antonelli, published by Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
"Medical Microbiology" (5th Edition) by Patrick Murray, published by EMSI
"Medical Microbiology" by Maria Pia Conte, Paola Mastromarino, published by Casa Editrice Esculapio

To build a mental model that enables understanding the underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis, pharmacological therapy, and the diagnostic techniques commonly used in the microbiology laboratory.

Basic knowledge of cellular biology.

The lessons will all be in a lecture format. The lessons will be held using ppt slides. The material will be made available to students through the dedicated online platform (DIR). The material discussed in class and provided to students should be considered as supplementary to the textbook and never a substitute for it.

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The examination consists of a written test comprising 10 multiple-choice questions covering the entire course syllabus. To pass the examination, students must answer at least 5 questions correctly. Failure to achieve this minimum threshold will result in a failing grade, and the examination must be retaken in its entirety. The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale and is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the three course modules (Microbiology, Immunology, and General Pathology). No supplementary or remedial oral examination is provided.

GENERAL BACTERIOLOGY.
Bacteria: structure and essential functions. Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Spores. Bacterial cultivation: growth and development of bacterial populations. Basics of bacterial genetics: mutations and genetic recombination mechanisms. Principles of pathogenicity and virulence. Bacterial toxins: exotoxins and endotoxins. Action of major antibacterial drugs. Chemotherapeutic and antibiotic resistance.

GENERAL VIROLOGY.
Characteristics and classification of viruses. Composition and architecture of viral particles. Cultivation and titration of viruses. Virus-cell interactions. Virus multiplication: replication strategies. Virus-host relationships: acute, persistent, latent, slow infections. Cell transformation by viruses: oncogenic viruses. Pathogenic mechanisms in viral infections. Overview of immunoprophylaxis and antiviral chemotherapy. Principles of virological diagnostics.

CLINICAL ASPECTS OF BACTERIAL AND VIRAL INFECTIONS
Clinical features of bacterial and viral infections divided by organ systems.
Staphylococci, Streptococci, Pneumococci, Neisseria, Gram-positive spore-forming aerobic bacilli, Enterobacteria (Escherichia and Salmonella genera), Pseudomonas, Vibrionaceae, Spirilla, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter, Haemophilus, Clostridia, Mycobacteria.
Adenoviruses, Coronaviruses, Flaviviruses, Hepadnaviruses, and other viruses causing hepatitis, Herpesviruses, Orthomyxoviruses, Paramyxoviruses, Papovaviruses, Parvoviruses, Picornaviruses, Retroviruses, Togaviruses, Rotaviruses.

FUNGI and PROTOZOA.
General features of medically important fungi. Candida albicans. General characteristics of protozoa pathogenic to humans. Giardia intestinalis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Plasmodium species causing malaria, Toxoplasma gondii.

According to the Dublin Descriptors:D1 – Knowledge and UnderstandingStudents will acquire knowledge of the major microorganisms of medical importance and understand the mechanisms underlying infectious diseases. They will develop the ability to use appropriate scientific terminology.D2 – Applying Knowledge and UnderstandingStudents will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to disciplines requiring an understanding of medical microbiology. These competencies will support their future activities in diagnostic and research laboratories.D3 – Making JudgementsStudents will develop the ability to critically and independently analyse the molecular mechanisms underlying pathological processes, applying scientific reasoning to the interpretation of the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.D4 – Communication SkillsStudents will develop the ability to communicate the knowledge they have acquired using appropriate scientific terminology, enabling them to interact professionally and competently in both academic and professional settings. They will gain a solid command of the terminology related to pathogenic microorganisms and the mechanisms of transmission and prevention of infectious diseases.D5 – Learning SkillsStudents will develop the ability to use the teaching materials provided for the critical and independent study of the topics covered during the course. They will also be able to update and expand their knowledge autonomously through the consultation of textbooks and scientific literature relevant to microbiology.