Medicine and Surgery

Activity type

Medicina di laboratorio e diagnostica integrata, Attività formative affini o integrative

SSD

VET/06, VET/06

Year

2nd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

2

Hours distribution

26 classroom hours

Lecturers

DAVID MODIANO

Activity type

Patologia generale e molecolare, immunopatologia, fisiopatologia generale, microbiologia e parassitologia

SSD

MED/07

Year

2nd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

5

Hours distribution

63 classroom hours

Lecturers

CAROLINA SCAGNOLARI
DANIELA SCRIBANO

Main teaching objectives:
• Knowledge and classification of pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, helminths and arthropods) which are causative agents for humans.
• Knowledge of the differences between the various organisms in terms of: structure and morphology, metabolism, mechanisms of pathogenesis, reproduction and replication, epidemiology.
• Knowledge of the relationships existing between host and pathogens in human infections and of the opportunities of treatment, control and diagnosis of infections.

Learning outcomes MED/07:
To understand how animal viruses (most important families) are classified, how their genetic apparatus works and how they interact with and affect the host. The above molecular and cellular mechanisms must combine with the concept of viral pathogenesis, epidemiology, and control.
The student should achieve a good knowledge and comprehension of the structure, metabolism, replication and the main mechanisms of pathogenicity of bacteria and fungi of medical interest. Particular attention will be dedicated on the comprehension of the relationships occurring between microorganism-host and on the activation of the host immune response.

Learning outcomes VET/06:
Main life cycles of parasites, transmission routes, host-parasite relationships, epidemiology and control.

By the end of the microbiology course, students will be expected to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the biology of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, as well as the mechanisms by which they cause infectious diseases. They must also understand the primary interactions between microorganisms and hosts, the mechanisms of natural and acquired immunity, and the fundamentals of vaccine immunoprophylaxis. Students will be able to analyse the characteristics of the main animal viruses and understand the processes of replication, latency and cell transformation, as well as the principles underlying antiviral therapies. Similarly, they will need to understand the life cycles of the main human parasites and their diagnostic and epidemiological implications. Students must be able to interpret the results of microbiological and virological investigations and apply this knowledge to clinical practice, paying particular attention to antimicrobial resistance and the rational choice of therapy. They must also acquire skills in infection prevention and public health promotion.

Admission to the Microbiology examination requires a background in biological and chemical sciences. Students are expected to have knowledge of the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the chemistry and biochemistry of biological macromolecules, and the main mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription and translation. A knowledge of the fundamentals of genetics, physiology and immunology is also essential for understanding microbiological processes and microorganism–host interactions.

Module: Microbiology - MED 07
Contents:
Basic principles of parasitology: basic terminology: parasites, obligate parasite, facultative parasite, ectoparasites, endoparasites; commensal and pathogenic parasites. Host, definitive host, intermediate host, reservoir; vector; zoonosis, zooparasitosis, antropoparasitosis.
Intestinal and urogenital protozoa: life cycle and pathology of intestinal amebae (Entamoeba histolytica) and outlines of non-pathogenic amebae; intestinal flagellates (Giardia lamblia), intestinal coccidia (Cryptosporidium parvum) and urogenital flagellates (Trichomonas vaginalis).
Blood and tissue protozoa: African Trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and rhodesiense), American Trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma cruzi), Leishmaniasis, Malaria, Toxoplasmosis.
Helminths: classification and general concepts; morphology, life cycles, and pathogenic mechanisms of: liver, intestinal and lung Trematodes (Fasciola, Opistorchis, Fasciolopsis, Paragonimus); blood trematodes (Schistosoma); Cestodes (Taenia, Hymenolepis, Echinococcus); intestinal and tissue Nematodes (Enterobius, Ascaris, Trichuris, Ancylostoma, Necator, Strongyloides Trichinella, Daracunculus, Wuchereria, Loa, Onchocerca). Arthropods: basic concepts on arthropods of medical importance; temporary and permanent ectoparasites (Sarcoptes, Argas, Ixodes, Pediculus, Pulex, hematophagous diptera).



Module: Microbiology - VET 06
Bacteriology
1. The Origins of Microbiology, definition of infectious diseases and bacterial classification.
Bacterial cell structures and biology
2. Bacterial metabolism, Growth and Genetics. Antimicrobial Chemotherapy: mechanisms of
action and drug resistance. Nosocomial infections.
3. Mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and basic principles of immune response. Bacterial
virulence factors and toxins
4. Staphylococci (S. aureus, S. epidermidis); Streptococci (S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S.
pneumoniae);
5. Spore-forming bacilli (B. anthracis, B. cereus); Clostridiaceae (C. tetani, C. botulinum, C.
perfringens), Peptostreptococcaceae (C. difficile) Enterobacteriaceae: Escherichia,
Salmonella, Shigella, Klebsiella) – Helicobacter pylori
6. Sexually transmitted infections: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia
trachomatis
7. Vaccine preventable infections: Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Bordetella
pertussis, Corynebacterium diphteriae
8. Acid-alcohol resistant bacilli: Mycobacteria
9. Fungi: Candida spp.; Aspergillus spp
10. ADE Nosocomial pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii

Virology

GENERAL VIROLOGY
General properties and structure of viruses
Replication of viruses
Effects of the virus on the host cell
Viral oncogenesis
Pathogenesis of viral infections
Antiviral drugs

MEDICAL VIROLOGY
Structure, morphological features, pathogenesis, control, epidemiology, and diagnosis of all viruses and viral infections important in human pathology with special reference to:
RNA viruses: Picornaviridae, Flaviviridae, Orthomixoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Retroviridae, Coronaviridae, Hepeviridae
DNA viruses: Papillomaviridae, Herpesviridae, Hepadnaviridae, Parvoviridae

Viral zoonoses
Diseases transmitted by arthropods

Module: Microbiology - MED 07
Medical Microbiology - Jawetz Melnick&Adelbergs/ Mac Graw Hill– 2019
Medical Microbiology - Murray, Rosenthal, Pfaller /Elsevier Saunders– 2020



Module: Microbiology - VET 06
Medical Microbiology (Murray, Rosenthal, Pfaller)

Module: Microbiology - MED 07
N/D
Module: Microbiology - VET 06
Virology papers and reviews selected from PUBMED

Teaching takes place in a classroom setting and consists of theoretical lessons led by the professors responsible for the individual modules. These lessons make use of multimedia resources (e.g. PowerPoint presentations) and supplementary teaching materials to promote an in-depth understanding of the course content.
Teaching activities focus on acquiring basic theoretical and practical knowledge of virology, bacteriology and parasitology, particularly with regard to the biological, pathogenetic, clinical and diagnostic aspects of the main agents of medical interest.
Students are expected to participate actively in lessons to develop their critical analysis skills and ability to connect various topics.

Attendance at the course is mandatory. Participation in lectures is an integral part of the learning process and essential for acquiring the theoretical and methodological knowledge set out in the syllabus.

The exam consists of an oral interview with the Virology, Bacteriology and Parasitology module professors, aimed at assessing students' knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in each module.
Each professor will ask two or three questions related to their teaching programme to assess the student's theoretical preparation, ability to connect different topics and use of scientific language.
The results of the tests will contribute to the final exam grade.

Bacteriology
Description of beta-lactam antibiotics mechanism of action.
Description of antibiotic-resistance mechanisms.
Description of the diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus and its associated virulence factors.


Virology
1) Describe the main mechanisms of viral oncogenesis, emphasising the role of oncogenic viruses in cellular transformation;
2) Describe the characteristics of the hepatitis B virus, paying particular attention to its classification, replication cycle, pathogenesis, the clinical course of infection and the main diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.

Module: Microbiology - MED 07

• 6 lectures of 3 hours each on the topics indicated in the program (2 CFU)


• ADE (3 hours)

• Bacteriology: 8 lectures of 3 hours each on the topics indicated in the program (3 CFU)


• Bacteriology:  1 ADE (3 hours)


• Virology:  6 lectures of 3 hours each on the topics indicated in the program (2 CFU)


• Virology: 1 ADE (3 hours)