07732 - Clinical Pathology

Learning outcomes

To allow the students to acquire the fundamental notions for a critical evaluation and interpretation of the results of the main clinical laboratory tests

Course contents

- The blood composition. Plasma, serum and corpuscular component; complete blood count (CBC); morphological features of the various blood corpuscular components. ABO blood group system, Rh blood group system.

- Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of anemia. Diagnosis and classification of anemia; microcytic anemia (iron deficiency and thalassemia); normocytic anemia (acute blood loss, hemolytic disorders), megaloblastic anemia (vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency).

- Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of coagulation disorders. The principal phases of the hemostatic process; laboratory tests for the evaluation of platelet function and coagulation cascade.

- Serum proteins. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE); SPE patterns associated to specific diseases; acute phase reactants (APRs) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

- Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of lipid disorders. Plasma lipoproteins and their metabolism; lipoproteins and atherosclerosis; quantitative and qualitative analysis of plasma lipoproteins

- Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of diabetes. Classification of diabetes; metabolic effect of diabetes; laboratory tests for the diagnosis and for the follow-up of diabetic patients.

- Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of hepatic disorders. Bilirubin and urobilinogen; serum enzymes indicative of cytolysis and cholestasis; albumin/globulin ratio; coagulation factors.

- Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of renal system disorders. Urine analysis (physical, chemical and microscopic examination); urea, creatinine and uric acid; eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate).

Readings/Bibliography

The book reported below is not necessary for passing the exam but it is strongly suggested for the deepening of the topics dealt with the course and for a consultation following the achievement of the degree.

- Marcello Ciaccio: Elementi di Biochimica Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio. 2020, EdiSES Università S.r.l . - Napoli.

 

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons for24 hours (2 CFU)

Assessment methods

Student learning will be verified at the end of the course through a written test with multiple choice questions, aimed at ascertaining the student's knowledge of all the topics of the integrated course. Each question will have 4 answers, of which only one is correct. Each correct answer will be worth one point, each incorrect or non-given answer will be worth 0 points. The exam will be considered passed with at least 18 correct answers (score: 18/30). The final grade will correspond to the number of correct answers (from 18 to 30). If the correct answers are 31, 32 or 33, the grade assigned will be 30 cum laude.

 

Teaching tools

The lecture materials presented in class will be made available to the student in electronic format on the “Virtual” platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/ ). Username e password are reserved to students of Bologna University.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Trerè