CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOLOGY OF PARASITIC PROTOZOA AND METAZOA

Module Clinical Microbiology

Upon completion of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge and skills regarding the main microorganisms of medical interest and their interactions with the host, with particular reference to bacterial, fungal, and viral etiological agents and the mechanisms underlying infectious diseases.

Knowledge and understanding

Students must demonstrate in-depth, up-to-date knowledge of general and clinical microbiology, with particular reference to bacterial, fungal, and viral etiological agents of medical importance. They must understand the main mechanisms of pathogenicity, modes of infection transmission and spread, microorganism-host interactions, and the primary mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, they must acquire a thorough understanding of the principles and methodologies used in the laboratory diagnosis of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, including the fundamentals of key phenotypic, immunological, and molecular techniques.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding. Students must be able to apply the knowledge acquired to solve microbiological and diagnostic problems, identifying and selecting the most appropriate laboratory methods based on the suspected etiology and the type of biological sample. They must be able to correctly apply key phenotypic and molecular methods for the isolation, identification, and characterization of bacteria and fungi, as well as for the detection and/or identification of viral agents, critically interpreting the results within the context of microbiological diagnosis.

3. Making judgments. Students must be able to critically evaluate the results of microbiological investigations, recognizing potential analytical issues and distinguishing—where appropriate—between results that are significant and those that are not significant for diagnostic purposes.They must also be capable of integrating the obtained results with available microbiological and clinical information, formulating reasoned assessments regarding the reliability and relevance of laboratory data, and making methodological choices consistent with the diagnostic question.

4. Communication skills. Students must acquire appropriate specialized terminology in microbiology and clinical microbiology, which is essential for communicating laboratory results clearly, rigorously, and appropriately. The student must be able to present and discuss microbiological content and issues, as well as describe diagnostic methods, procedures, and results using correct disciplinary terminology, in both written and oral communication.

5. Learning skills. The student must develop the ability to independently deepen their knowledge of microbiology and diagnostics, making informed use of manuals, databases, guidelines, and scientific literature. Furthermore, the student must be able to update their skills in line with evolving microbiological knowledge, diagnostic methods, and emerging issues, with particular regard to the evolution of infectious agents and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance.

Clinical bacteriology.

- The bacteriological examination: the pre-analytical phase (physician's request, choice of examinations, patient preparation, collection and transport of sample); the analytical phase (bacterial culture, identification of microorganisms, susceptibility and report).

- Classification of bacteria: The concept of species in bacteriology. Taxonomy phenotypic and genotypic.

- Main bacteria of medical interest: morphology, identification, antigenic structure, pathogenesis, laboratory tests, therapy, epidemiology, prevention and control of: staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, Corynebacterium, Listeria, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Acinetobacter and rare gram negative bacteria, mycobacteria, Vibrio, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Haemophilus, Bordetella, Brucella, Yersinia, Neisseriae, Clostridia, Bacillus, Legionella, Mycoplasma, Rickettsiae, Chlamidiae and spirochetes.

The fungi responsible for mycosis: essential characteristics and differences of :

a. Primary and opportunistic pathogens.

b. Fungi responsible for superficial, subcutaneous and systemic mycosis

Clinical virology. Immune response to viral infections. Virological diagnostic.Viral infections of: Upper and lower respiratory tract ; Gastrointestinal tract ; Hematopoietic apparatus ; Central nervous system; Sexually transmitted diseases; Urogenital tract ; Eye; Skin and mucous membranes ; nosocomial infections ; TORCH ; Viral infections in immunocompromised patients; diagnostics and prevention of HPV infection.

• Antonelli, Clementi, Pozzi, Rossolini : Principi di Microbiologia medica – Ed. Ambrosiana
• La Placa : Principi di Microbiologia Medica –   Ed. Esculapio
• Jawetz, Melnick, Adelberg’s: Microbiologia medica – Ed. Piccin