The course covers i) the structural characteristics and the physiology of most clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, ii) the role of microorganisms as causative agents of human infectious diseases, iii) the main virulence factors involved in the pathogenesis, iv) the diagnostic methods for the species identification and antimicrobial suceptibility evaluation. The parasitology lectures will include the life cycles of the main parasites causing human disease, with focus on the diagnostic and infective stages in the life cycle itself
Metodi didattici
Bacteriology: Lectures, use one of the recommended textbooks. The Prof will not give the PDF of the lectures. The teacher is available via e-mail for clarification regarding any critical points that may arise during the exam preparation. Parasitology. Parasitology and Mycology Sections of the textbook "Medical Microbiology". Murray, Rosenthal, Pfaller, 9th Edition (2020)
Verifica Apprendimento
The exam will be carried out as 45 multiple choice quizzes: 4 answers, with only one being correct. - 15 quizzes for general microbiology - 5 quizzes for Parasitology and Mycology - 10 quizzes for general virology - 15 quizzes clinical microbiology
Testi
- P.R. Murray, K.S. Rosenthal, M.A. Pfaller; Medical Microbiology, 9th edition Elsevier - Sherris; Medical Microbiology, Mc Graw Hill Education - Janetz, Melnick & Adelberg’s; Medical Microbiology, Mc Graw Hill Lange - D. Greenwood, R.C.B. Slack, M.R. Barer, W.L. Irving; Medical Microbiology. A Guide to Microbial Infections: Pathogenesis, Immunity, Laboratory Diagnosis and Control
Contenuti
1. Bacterial structure: most important distinctive components and targets for antimicrobial agents. 2. Bacterial virulence factors (i.e. esotoxins, exoenzymes, siderophores and secretion systems, antibiotic resistance and ability to form biofilm) and main mechanisms involved in infectious diseases pathogenesis; opportunistic versus strict patogens; portals of bacterial entry and diffusion. 3. Bacterial growth curve. Diagnostic of bacterial infectious diseases (traditional versus more rapid, molecular methods): when and why? 4. The bacterial genome: chromosome, plasmids and other replicons. Mechanisms of genetic exchange. How to molecularly detect an outbreak of infection or distinguish a recurrent from a re-infection? Old vs new approaches. 5. Antibiotics classification and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Detection of the most important antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Susceptibility tests (EUCAST guidelines). Empiric versus targeted terapy. Meaning of MDR, XDR, PDR and DTT. 6. Human microbiota composition and importance. Staphylococci: characteristics and associated disease. 7. Streptococci: characteristics and associated diseases. Other important microorganisms involved in pneumonia (Legionella pneumophyla, Micoplasma spp. etc). 8. Enterobacterales: characteristics and associated diseases. 9. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitisis: characteristics and associated diseases. Bacterial species involved in STD. 10. GNNF of clinical importance; bacterial role in care-associated infections. 11.Clinically relevant parasites and their life cycles. 12. Clinically relevant Moulds, Yeasts, Dimorphic fungi. Main antiparasitic and antifungal drugs.