Biomedical Laboratory techniques - Course A - Roma Azienda Policlinico Umberto I

Activity type

Scienze e tecniche di laboratorio biomedico

SSD

MED/07

Year

2nd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

10 classroom hours

Lecturers

AGNESE VISCIDO

Activity type

Scienze e tecniche di laboratorio biomedico

SSD

MED/46

Year

2nd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

10 classroom hours

Lecturers

AGNESE VISCIDO

Activity type

Scienze e tecniche di laboratorio biomedico

SSD

VET/06

Year

2nd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

2

Hours distribution

20 classroom hours

Lecturers

SIMONA GABRIELLI

Activity type

Scienze e tecniche di laboratorio biomedico

SSD

MED/07

Year

2nd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

10 classroom hours

Lecturers

FEDERICA SACCO

Activity type

Scienze e tecniche di laboratorio biomedico

SSD

MED/46

Year

2nd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

10 classroom hours

Lecturers

FEDERICA SACCO

Understand the theoretical and practical principles of major microbiological diagnostic methods
Perform identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing procedures according to biosafety standards
Critically assess the reliability of diagnostic results and methods
Update personal knowledge on new microbiological diagnostic technologies and methods

The student should have basic knowledge of general microbiology and molecular biology
Basic laboratory skills and understanding of biosafety regulations are required.

CLINICAL PARASITOLOGY
Biological associations and parasitism. Overview of the morphological, structural, and metabolic characteristics of protozoa, helminths, and arthropods. Parasite specificity. Major amoebae, flagellates, coccidia, digenean trematodes, cestodes, and nematodes detectable in biological specimens, with particular emphasis on opportunistic parasites. Temporary and permanent ectoparasites ( Geographic distribution, life cycles, and pathogenicity of parasites. Mechanisms of infection and transmission of each parasite, including their relationship to the infectivity of biological specimens.

Diagnostic Techniques in Parasitology

General laboratory practices in Parasitology: laboratory hazards and safety measures, equipment, and quality control.
Methods for parasite detection (direct examination, concentration techniques, and methods involving amplification of parasite burden); morphometric identification of protozoa, digenean trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, and arthropods; quantitative assessment of parasite load; pathogenicity assays.
Use of temporary stains, counterstains, vital stains, and permanent staining techniques.
Biological specimens for parasitological examination and methods for the collection, transport, fixation, and examination of feces, urine, blood, duodenal aspirates, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, corneal scrapings, skin scarifications, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, aspirates (from cysts, abscesses, lymph nodes, and ulcers), biopsies (skin, muscle, duodenal, and organ biopsies), and perianal swabs.
Methods for the recovery, preservation, and microscopic examination of protozoa, digenean trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, and arthropods; preparation of permanent microscope slides.
Use of commercial diagnostic kits for the detection and concentration of protozoa and helminths.
Serological diagnosis of parasitic diseases.
Molecular biology techniques in Parasitology.

Clinical Microbiology: bacterioscopic examination, cultural techniques, proteomic techniques, indirect diagnosis, molecular diagnosis.
• Antibiogram.
• Microbiological diagnosis and microorganisms involved in infections of the central nervous system, urinary tract, sexually transmitted, gastroenteritis, respiratory system, bloodstream, and nosocomial infections.
• Microbiological diagnosis of fungal infections.

CLINICAL VIROLOGY
• Introduction to Virology. Structure and Classification of Viruses: Morphology Viral Genome. Structure Classification Virus Replication and Effects on the Host Cell: Viral Replication Cycle, Types of Virus-Cell Interaction, Cytopathic Effect. Pathogenesis of Viral Infections: Modes of Transmission, Virus Shedding Damage Caused by Viral Infection, Pathogenic Potential, Virulence, and Persistence, Virus-Host Organism Relationships, Clinical Progression of Viral Infections.
• Diagnosis of Viral Infections: General Diagnostic Approach. Direct Detection: Rapid Methods, Viral Isolation. Serological Assays: Functional Assays (Neutralization, Hemagglutination Inhibition, Complement Fixation); Membrane Assays (Western Blot Recombinant Immunoblotting Binding Assays Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Radioimmunoassay (RIA).
• Molecular Assays: Target Amplification Assays (PCR, TMA); Signal Amplification Assays (Branched DNA-PCR or Branched-Chain DNA Hybrid Capture (HC), Additional Molecular Methods (Genotyping, DNA Microarray, Sequencing, Multiplex Molecular Systems). Diagnosis of Congenital and Neonatal Infections
• Special Virology: Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae- Influenza Virus, SARS-CoV-2, Hepatitis Viruses, Lentivirus - HIV-1/2, Gastroenteric Viruses

G. Cancrini Parassitologia e tecniche di laboratorio per le professioni sanitarie
Principi di virologia medica, IV edizione, Guido Antonelli Massimo Clementi, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Eudes Lanciotti :“Biologia e Microbiologia sanitaria”, Zanichelli editore.
Madigan M.T. et al.:”Brock. Biologia dei Microrganismi” vol. 2 Microbiologia Biomedica, Pearson ed.
Madigan M.T. et al.:”Brock. Biologia dei Microrganismi” vol. 3 Microbiologia Biomedica, Pearson ed.

Module: VIROLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS
N/D
Module: SCIENCE AND TECHNIQUES OF LABORATORY MEDICINE I
N/D
Module: DIAGNOSTIC AND ANTROPOZOONOSIS PARASITOLOGY
N/D
Module: CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
N/D
Module: SCIENCE AND TECHNIQUES OF LABORATORY MEDICINE II
N/D

The course consists of frontal lectures supported by multimedia presentations, aimed at providing the theoretical foundations of major diagnostic methods in microbiology and parasitology.
During the lectures, illustrative clinical cases, laboratory protocols, and biosafety procedures are discussed.
Frontal teaching is complemented by interactive discussions and questions to encourage active participation and critical thinking.

Attendance at lectures is mandatory and will be monitored.
Students must attend at least 65% of the scheduled teaching hours to be admitted to the final examination.
Active participation during classes is considered an integral part of the learning process.

The learning assessment consists of an oral examination.
During the interview, the student must demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of the main microbiological diagnostic methods, the ability to interpret laboratory results, and to correlate microbiological data with the clinical context.
The evaluation will consider clarity of exposition, use of appropriate technical terminology, and critical reasoning skills

How is a blood sample examined in the parasitology laboratory?
(Describe the main techniques for sample preparation and microscopic observation, as well as diagnostic methods used to detect blood parasites.)

How is a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample analyzed in the microbiology laboratory?
(Explain the steps of sample handling, culture procedures, microscopy, and identification of pathogenic microorganisms.)

• Introduction
  • Books: G. Cancrini


• Amoebae


• Intestinal Flagellates and Sporozoa


• Haemoflagellates and Tissue Flagellates


• Laboratory analysis


• Toxoplasma and Plasmodia 


• Cestodes and Digeneans


• Nematodes