The course aims to provide the student with the cognitive and methodological tools necessary to: -correlate the composition, structure and physiology of pathogens with the evolution of the diseases they cause; -understand the role of different viruses as agents of human pathologies -understand the methodological approach in the diagnostic investigation of viral infections; -understand the epidemiology of infections - acquire knowledge in the diagnostic field, with regard to direct and indirect diagnosis of viral infections At the end of the course, the student should know: (i) the structure and replicative cycle of viruses (ii) the transmission routes of the main viruses causing diseases in humans iii) the main virological diagnostic methodologies (iv) defence mechanisms available to the multicellular host against infectious agents
Course Prerequisites
The course aims to provide students with the necessary tools to understand the correlations between different pathological pictures, possible aetiological agents and diagnostic methods. To better follow the course, the student must have acquired knowledge in basic subjects such as: biochemistry, human anatomy, applied biology
Teaching Methods
lectures through PowerPoint presentations
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of an individual oral test designed to ascertain the knowledge acquired in relation to the teaching content. The test covers several separate topics relating to all the topics covered during the course. The final assessment is based on the level of depth and understanding of the various topics presented.
Texts
"Microbiologia clinica" Roberto Cevenini, Piccin
“Microbiologia clinica", Eudes Lanciotti, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Contents
I virus: tassonomia, morfologia, struttura, composizione chimica e metodi di studio • Rapporti virus-cellula e meccanismi di replicazione virale • Genetica dei virus • Coltura dei virus • Rapporti virus-ospite; infezioni litiche e non litiche • Trasmissione di virus e patogenesi delle infezioni virali • Diagnostica virologica in medicina umana, metodiche per diagnosi diretta e dindiretta
Sistematica: Virus a DNA: Herpesvirus, Adenovirus, Poxvirus, Hepadnavirus. Virus a RNA: Picornavirus, Coronavirus, Orthomyxovirus, Paramyxovirus, Pneumovirus, Virus delle epatiti (A, C, D, E), Reovirus e virus gastroenterici, Retrovirus (HTLV, HIV), virus trasmessi da artropodi e da roditori: Bunyavirales, Arenaviridae, Togavirus, Flavivirus.
