THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING

Course objectives

Main teaching objectives: The course will introduce students to basic principles of microbial pathogenesis, using some infectious agents as model. The plan for conveying the knowledge in medical microbiology is to present, first, concepts of infectious agent structure and morphology, and then relate them to principles of microbial growth, replication and/or multiplication. Together these concepts will form the basis for understanding how infectious agents are classified, how their genetic apparatus works and how they interact with and affect the host. The above molecular and cellular mechanisms are combined with the concept of microbial pathogenesis, innate and adaptive immune response, immune evasion, persistent infections and epidemiology, evolution, and control of infectious agents. The most important infectious agent families are then discussed individually. At the end of the course, some students will be invited to make a presentation of 15 minutes. The topic of the presentation will be chosen from recent articles on hot topics in medical microbiology which deserve or may stimulate an interactive discussion. Opportunity of short laboratory research/diagnostic experience will also offered to students who are particularly interested on such a subject.

Channel 1
DAVID MODIANO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
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).
Books
“Microbiologia Medica” Maria Pia Conte & Francesca Berlutti, 2023, Societa Editrice Esculapio s.r.l. "Microbiologia medica" di Murray P.R., Pfaller M.A., Rosenthal K.S.
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseMedicine and Surgery
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDVET/06
  • CFU2