506517 - BACTERIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY

This module covers bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens, focusing on structure, virulence, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapy. It includes bacterial structure, highlighting the most important distinctive components and targets for antimicrobial agents, and bacterial virulence factors such as exotoxins, exoenzymes, siderophores, secretion systems, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation, with mechanisms involved in infectious disease pathogenesis. Opportunistic versus strict pathogens, portals of entry, and diffusion are addressed. Bacterial growth curves and diagnostic approaches, both traditional and rapid molecular methods, are discussed, as well as the bacterial genome—including chromosomes, plasmids, and other mobile genetic elements—and mechanisms of genetic exchange, with methods to detect outbreaks or distinguish recurrent from new infections. Antibiotic classification, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, susceptibility testing (EUCAST), empiric versus targeted therapy, and the meaning of MDR, XDR, PDR, and DTT are included. Human microbiota composition and importance are considered, followed by studies of Staphylococci, Streptococci, Enterobacterales, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, GNNF of clinical relevance, and other bacteria involved in pneumonia, STDs, and care-associated infections. Clinically relevant parasites, moulds, yeasts, dimorphic fungi, and main antiparasitic and antifungal drugs complete the module.