Upon completion of the Clinical Microbiology course, the student will have acquired fundamental knowledge regarding the main microorganisms responsible for human infections, as well as mechanisms of transmission, pathogenicity, and host response, with particular reference to infections of clinical significance and healthcare-associated infections.
Knowledge and understanding
The student must be familiar with the main pathogenic microorganisms of clinical interest, modes of infection transmission, key risk factors, and mechanisms of pathogenicity.
Furthermore, the student must understand the fundamental principles of microbiological diagnosis, the procedures for collecting, storing, and transporting key biological samples, and the basic principles of methods used to identify infectious agents and assess antimicrobial susceptibility.
Particular attention will be paid to the microorganisms responsible for major healthcare-associated infections and to mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student must be able to apply microbiological knowledge to clinical practice, adopting appropriate behaviors to prevent and control the transmission of infections.
The student must know the correct procedures for collecting, identifying, storing, and transporting biological samples intended for microbiological analysis, thereby helping to ensure the quality and reliability of diagnostic results.
Additionally, the student must be able to understand and interpret—at a level appropriate to their professional profile—key microbiological test results and the significance of antimicrobial susceptibility or resistance.
Independent judgment
The student must be able to recognize situations posing a high risk of infection transmission and critically evaluate the appropriateness of clinical procedures aimed at preventing and controlling such transmission. They must be able to identify conditions that could compromise the reliability of the biological sample and recognize the significance of anomalies or microbiological results of particular clinical importance, collaborating with other professionals in the management of patients with infections.
Communication skills. The student must be able to use microbiological and clinical terminology correctly, communicating clearly and appropriately with patients and other healthcare professionals. They must be able to convey information regarding sample collection procedures, infection transmission prevention methods, and key microbiological results, using scientific terminology appropriate to the clinical setting.
Learning skills. The student must develop the ability to independently update their knowledge in the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases by consulting guidelines, protocols, scientific documents, and other relevant sources. They must also acquire the tools necessary to keep their skills up to date regarding the evolution of healthcare-associated infections, antibiotic resistance, infection prevention and control strategies, and major diagnostic innovations.
1. Microorganisms and parasites: Essential characteristics and differences
of:
a.
Bacteria
b.
Viruses
c.
Fungi
d.
protozoa and other parasites known to infect humans.
2. Host-parasite interactions and mode of infection.
3. Essential concepts of microbiological diagnostics.
4. Infection control
a. Sterilization, disinfection and
antisepsis
b.
The antimicrobial chemotherapy; importance of antibiotic-resistances
5. Essential concepts on the pathologies
caused by the main pathogenic bacteria and viruses
6. Notes on infections caused by fungi and
parasites
1. Microbiologia
e Microbiologia clinica per le professioni sanitarie e odontoiatria.
Autore: Simona De Grazia, Donatella Ferraro, Giovanni Giammanco. Edizione: Casa
editrice: Pearson
2.
Microbiologia e microbiologia clinica per i corsi di laurea in professioni
sanitarie, Cevenini Roberto, Piccin.
3. Quick Review, Microbiologia per le Professioni Sanitarie - D. Lembo, M.
Donalisio, S. Landolfo - EdiSES.
