Pathogenesis and Diagnostics

Program of the form:
· Clinical Biochemistry: introduction, purposes, definitions
· Laboratory intervention levels. Types of exams
· Blood sample, urine sample
· Other types of biological samples
· Total variability concept; Biological variability and factors that influence it
· Preparation of the subject / patient
· Pre-analytical variability: sampling, conservation, delivery transport
· Acceptability criteria of a biological sample
· Analytical variability
· Types of errors. Reliability of a dosing method
· Quality controls
· Post-analytical variability: diagnostic report
· Reference values
· Analytical goals and critical difference
· Diagnostic logic: sensitivity and clinical specificity, predictive values
· Deepening of some topics chosen by the teacher (The role of the Laboratory in the hearth infarct, in diabetes, in liver diseases, in dyslipidemia ..)

Program of the form:
Major differences in the cells of prokaryotes and eukaryotes including the structure, organization and reproduction - Differences among bacteria, fungi and viruses.
· Vertical and horizontal transmission of microorganisms and impact of vehicles and carriers - Principal characteristics of pathogenicity and virulence of microorganisms
· Main interactions host - infectious agent: colonization, symbiosis, commensalism, infection and disease - Host factors that can influence the infectious process
· Criteria for the collection and transport of biological samples for microbiological diagnosis in the laboratory. Direct and indirect diagnosis of infection
· Main direct and indirect microbiological investigations - Investigations in relation to the stage of infection (recently, pregressed or chronic) and therapy (drug susceptibility tests for antimicrobial drugs)
· Morphology, ultrastructure and functions of the different components of the bacterial cell, chemical composition and cell wall structure of Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria. Bacterial replication.
· Mechanism of action of antibacterial drugs: cell wall synthesis, cytoplasmic membrane function, protein and nucleic acids synthesis inhibitors. Microbial drug-resistance mechanisms in MDR
· Morphology, ultrastructure and function of the components of the fungal cell, sexual and asexual reproduction -Main drugs with antifungal activity, mechanism of action and possible development of resistance - Morphology, functions, and reproduction mode in Protozoa
· Origin, organization and mode of replication of human viruses. Persistent, slow, latent viral infection. Antiviral drugs and mechanisms of action
· Normal resident microbiota composition
· Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus spp, pathogenic Neisseria, Enterobacteriaceae, spore-forming bacilli, mycobacteria
· Morphological characteristics, culture and pathogenicity of the main fungal agents with particular reference to the genera Candida, Cryptococcus and Aspergillus
· Protozoa of human interest
· Main agents of viral infections (Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Picornaviridae) Retroviridae and hepatitis viruses).
· Nosocomial infections: definition, risk factors and major pathogens

Program of the form:
· Physics: ionizing radiations and the electromagnetic spectrum , the corpuscolar radiations, the sources of ionizing radiation , principles of dosimetry.
· Radiobiology: the effects of ionizing radiations on the physic matter, general principles. The effects of the ionizing radiation on the biological systems, the dose related effects, and the stochastic effects
· Radioprotection: the general principles of radioprotection and the National reference legislation. The role of the Medical Physicist. The practical aspects of radioprotection in the clinical setting
· Radiodiagnostic: the techniques based on X ray, conventional radiology, computerized tomography and angiography. The interventional techniques. The iodinate contrast media and the potential adverse reactions
· Nuclear Medicine: main techniques in Nucelr Medicine, SPECT, PET, and PET CT
· Radiotherapy: main techniques in Radiotherapy, patient positioning techniques
· Magnetic Resonance Imaging: general principles and the potential risk of high field magnet. Paramagnetic contrast media, indications and potential adverse effects