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

Laboratory test for the diagnosis of coagulation disorders. Laboratory tests for the evaluation of platelet function and coagulation cascade; laboratory definition of the hypercoagulability disorders (4 hours).

- 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.

- Complete Blood Count. Introduction to the interpretation of main alterations in white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

- 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; clearance tests; functional tests.

- Biomarkers of myocardial injury and heart failure

Readings/Bibliography

- Marcello Ciaccio e Giuseppe Lippi: Biochimica Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio. Terza edizione, 2020 EdiSES Università S.r.l . - Napoli.

- Italo Antonozzi e Elio Gulletta: Medicina di Laboratorio: Logica & Patologia Clinica. Terza edizione, 2019 Piccin Nuova Libraria S.p.A. Padova.

Office hours

See the website of Tommaso Fasano