67130 - Microbiology and Pathology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has knowledge of the biology and pathogenesis of microorganisms and viruses and in particular knows the aetiological agents of toxinfections and of the main infectious diseases. The student also has basic knowledge of general pathology, immunopathology, oncology, general and organ-specific pathophysiology and knows the nomenclature of human diseases and the basic medical terminology.

Course contents

MICROBIOLOGY - Prof. Elisabetta Manaresi

Bacteria
Structure of the prokaryotic cell: general characteristics, study techniques, shape and arrangments, genome, cytoplasm, plasma membrane, cell wall (organisation and structure of peptoglycan and of the cell wall in Gram+, Gram-), external membrane, external structure (capsule, pili, flagelli)

Bacterial reproduction, bacterial sporae

Bacterial metabolism: general characteristics; mechanisms of phosphorilation, energetic metabolism (fermentation, respiration, aerobiosis and anaerobiosis); macromolecular synthesis (DNA, RNA, proteins, peptoglycan)

Bacterial genetics: bacterial chromosome, accessorial genetic elements (plasmid, insertion sequences, trasposons); evolution of bacterial genomes: mutations, ricombination, transmission of genetic materials (transformation, conjugation, transduction). Drug resistance

Bacterial pathogenesis: exogenous and endogenous infections, mechanisms of host colonisation; mechanisms of pathogenesis, bacterial exotoxins and endotoxin; immunity and infectious processes

Bacterial cultivation: culture media, bacterial growth, isolating and maintenance cultures, bacterial counts, antibacterial drug susceptibility testing

Bacteria of medical relevance: staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, bacilli, clostrida, enterobacteria, listeria monocytogenes, vibrio, campylobacter, pseudomonas, legionella

Viruses
Viral Structure: characteristics of viral genomes and virion structure (genome, capsid, pericapsid)

Viral Replication: general characteristics; phases of the viral replicative cycle (attachment, penetration, uncoating, macromolecular synthesis: viral replicative strategies, assembly)
Bacteriophages: structure and viral replicative cycle

Viral Pathogenesis: virus-cell interaction; kind of infection (cytocidal, persistent, latent, transforming); dynamics of the infectious process (penetration, localization and viral multiplication, viral transmission)

Viral Cultivation: cell cultures, virus isolation and titration, virus identification

Fungi: general biological characteristics, mechanisms of replication and pathogenesis; cultivation and counts, mycotoxins

Protozoa: general biological characteristics

 

PATHOLOGY - Prof. Giuseppina Di Stefano

Cell injury and death: causes and mechanisms of cell injury; necrosis and apoptosis.

Hemodynamic disorders: The microcirculation and the Starling hypothesis; Fluid transudation and exudation; Pathogenesis of localized and generalized oedema; Hemostasis; Atherosclerosis; Thrombosis; Embolism; Ischemia and infarction.

Inflammation and innate immunity: Cells of inflammation; Chemical mediators of inflammation; Cardinal signs of inflammation; Phagocytosis and the bactericidal mechanism of leukocytes; Different types of exudate; Function of exudate; Features of chronic inflammation: granulation tissue, ulcers, abscesses, granulomas, fibrosis; Wound healing; Fever and other systemic effects of inflammation.

Acquired immunity: Antigens; Antigen receptors: antibodies, major histocompatibility complex, antigen receptor on T lymphocytes; Antigen processing and presentation to CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes; Activation of lymphocytes; Mechanisms of humoral immunity; The complement system; Mechanisms of cell-mediated immunity; Immunopathologic reactions: anaphylaxis, antibody-mediated cytotoxicity, immune-complex diseases, delayed hypersensitivity.

Oncology: Definition and nomenclature of tumours; Epidemiology of tumours; Genetics of neoplasm: oncosuppressor genes, oncogenes; Morphologic and biochemical features of tumour tissues; The process of carcinogenesis and the tumour growth; Tumour angiogenesis; Metastasis; Carcinogenic agents and their mechanism of action.

Readings/Bibliography

Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi
Microbiologia generale, volume 1
di Madigan Michael T., Martinko John M.
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

V Kumar, AK Abbas, JC Aster, AT Deyrup. ROBBINS - Elementi di Patologia e Fisiopatologia. EDRA S.p.A.

Teaching methods

The university course is based on lectures.

Slides are available for downloading at the University web site: https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Assessment methods

Oral final examination for both the learning modules; the final grade is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in the two modules of Microbiology and Pathology and is based on the ability of the candidate to show a deep and integrated knowledge of specific issues.

The examination is intended to assess the achievement of the following learning objectives:

- knowledge of the biology and pathogenesis of microorganisms and viruses

- knowledge of the causes of human diseases (aetiology), and in particular of the aetiological agents of toxinfections and of the main infectious diseases

- knowledge of the basic pathogenetic mechanisms

- knowledge of the specific and non specific response of the organism to injury

Electronic registration on AlmaEsami is required and the verbalization of the final grade will be performed on the indicated date.

Exams will be held in presence according to the indications provided by University of Bologna.

In the event of changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the exams could be held at distance with Microsoft Teams platform, after a formal communication by University of Bologna. Students should register as usual in Almaesami, and will receive an e-mail with the link and timetable of the exam sessions.

Teaching tools

Lectures given by the professor (video-projector and PC).

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Manaresi

See the website of Giuseppina Di Stefano