The course aims to provide the student with the cognitive and methodological tools necessary to know the composition, structure and physiology of microorganisms, to apply the knowledge of the biology of microorganisms to the choice of antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases, to understand the role of different microorganisms in human disease (infectious diseases), to learn the methodological approach in diagnostic investigation of infectious disease and their epidemiology.
The student should be able to describe:
the distinctive characteristics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes
the biological, chemical and physical properties of the viruses
the principles of microbial taxonomy
the structure and function of the components of prokaryotic microrganisms (bacteria), eukaryotes (fungi, protozoa) and viruses
the structure and function of bacterial spores
the bases of the genetic variability of bacteria and viruses
the bacterial growth
the mechanisms of virus replication
the general characteristics, reproduction of fungi and their classification and identification
the microbial flora in normal and pathological conditions
bacterial mechanisms of pathogenesis
pathogenesis of virus disease
Prions
collection, storage and transport of clinical specimens
methodological approaches in diagnostic investigation of infectious diseases (direct and indirect approaches). Antibiotic susceptibility testing
therapeutic and preventive strategies.
General Bacteriology. Prokariote and eukaryote cells: the major features of cellular organization. Structure of the bacterial cell (nucleoid, extrachromosomal elements, ribosomes, cytoplasmic inclusions, plasma membrane, cell wall, capsule, pili, flagella, fimbriae). The bacterial growth curve and cell division. Mutations and gene transfer (transformation, conjugation, transduction and transposition). Endospores. Virulence factors, sites of entry, shedding and exit of medically important bacteria. Bacterial microbiota. Diagnosis of infections: collection, storage, transport of biological samples and specimen processing (microscopy, isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria). Direct methods (microscopy, biochemical properties of microorganisms grown in culture, detection process for microbial antigens, nucleic acids or metabolic products) and serological methods. The automation in Microbiology. Antimicrobial agents: classification and main target sites for antibacterial action. Laboratory tests for antibiotic susceptibility: diffusion and dilution tests. Mechanisms of drug resistance. Identification of methicillin-resistant and vancomycin-resistant bacteria; screening of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenemases producers.
Special Bacteriology.
Staphylococci, Streptococci, Mycobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae,Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Neisseria, Chlamydia,Clostridium,Legionelle: classification, general properties, pathogenesis and laboratory diagnosis.
General Virology General characteristics of viruses. Mechanisms of virus replication and virus latency. Virus taxonomy and classification. Interaction between virus and host. Immunology of virus infection. Pathogenesis of virus disease. Diagnosis of virus infection. Antivirals and drug resistance mechanisms.
Special Virology. Human immunodeficiency virus. Hepatitis viruses. Herpes viruses. Respiratory viruses. Gastrointestinal viruses. Opportunistic virus infections. Oncogenic viruses.
Mycology. Morphology and structure of the fungal cell. Major fungal infections in humans. Antifungal agents.
INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL IN MICROBIOLOGY
As teaching method, an interactive Computer Tutorial in Microbiology will be used to enable students mastery of course material. Knowledge of microbiological diagnostic criteria and problems, and case reports in medical training is indispensable.
The features for this Computer Tutorial (animation presentation, high image quality, ease of use, clear and concise explanations) will allow students to achieve rapid and reasoned learning.
Student performance will be evaluated by a series of quizzes.
Topics of Tutorial will be covered on examinations; therefore attendance at Tutorial is compulsory.
lectures; Interactive Tutorial in Microbiology.
Jawetz, Melnick, Adelberg. Medical Microbiology. 25th edition, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.