Clinical Microbiology and Related Diagnostic Techniques

Criteria of classification of human bacteria.
General principles for the diagnosis of bacterial diseases.
Description of the general characteristics of the bacterial groups listed below, including:
∙ Morphology and staining characteristics,
∙ Physiology in relation to cultural and identification characteristics,
∙ Antigens structure in relation to their of pathogenicity, classification and identification,
∙ Production of enzymes and toxins in relation to pathogenicity and laboratory diagnosis,
∙ Sensitivity-resistance to the main antibacterial drugs,
∙ Description of the most relevant species from the medical point of view,
∙ Distinctive features of the species,
∙ Epidemiology (habitats, sources and transmission routes) and prevention,
∙ Laboratory diagnosis.
Staphylococci
Streptococci
Neisseriae
Corynebacterium
Listeria
Spore-forming bacilli
Mycobacteria
Enterobacteriaceae
Pseudomonas.
Vibrio, Helicobacter and Campylobacter
Yersiniae
Brucellae
Emophylus and Bordetelle
Spirochetes
Rickettsiae
Chlamydiae
Mycoplasmas
PARASITOLOGY
General principles for the etiological diagnosis of diseases caused by protozoa and multicellular parasites.
Sources of infection and transmission pathways, parasite-host relationship, pathogenicity factors, Laboratory diagnosis of parasitic infections.
Morphological characteristics, replication cycle, and parasite-host interaction of:
Giardia intestinalis
Trichomonas vaginalis
Leishmania spp.
Tripanosoma spp.
Entamoeba histolytica
Naegleria fowleri
Plasmodium spp.
Toxoplasma gondii
Pneumocistis carinii
Balantidium coli
Main helminths responsible for human infestations belonging to:
Tapeworms,
Nematodes,
Trematodes.
VIROLOGY
General principles for the etiological diagnosis of diseases caused by human viruses.
Sources of infection and transmission routes, virus-host relationship.
Laboratory diagnosis of viral infections.
Classification criteria of human viruses
DNA viruses
RNA viruses
Replication cycle and infection caused by:
∙ Hepatotropic virus
∙ Respiratory viruses
-Enteric viruses
∙ Retrovirus - HIV
∙ Herpesvirus
MYCOLOGY
General principles for the etiological diagnosis of human diseases caused by fungi.
Sources of infection, transmission routes and host relationship.
Laboratory diagnosis of fungal infections.
Classification of the main forms of mycosis
Reproduction and pathogenic characteristics of:
∙ Candida,
∙ Cryptococcus
∙ Aspergillus spp.
∙ Dermatophytes
-Dimorphic yeasts
- Laboratory diagnosis
NOTES FOR DIAGNOSIS OF MICROORGANISMS RESPONSIBLE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES:
∙ Sample collection
∙ Sample transportations and storage
∙ Pre-analytical phase and pre-processing techniques of the different clinical samples
∙ Direct microscopic examination
∙ Sowing methods, choice of the most suitable cultivation methods, incubation conditions of the following clinical samples:
∙ Blood
∙ Liquor
∙ Urine
∙ Feces
Samples from the upper and lower respiratory tracts (pharyngeal swab, sputum, bronchial lavage, etc.)
Pus, exudates, wounds aspirate, etc.
∙ Serological methods for the diagnosis of infectious diseases

∙ Pre-analytical phase
∙ Type of microbiological samples
∙ Assessment of the samples
∙ Sample acceptance modality
∙ Analytical phase
∙ Bacteriological diagnosis
∙ Direct diagnosis
∙ Manual and automated identification systems
API systems
Vitek systems
∙ Agglutination test
∙ Molecular identification of microorganisms
- PCR and electrophoresis
∙ Real Time PCR
∙ Multiplex PCR
∙ Pyrosequencing
∙ Indirect diagnosis
∙ Bacterial serology
∙ Antibiogram
∙ Virological diagnosis
∙ Direct diagnosis
∙ Indirect diagnosis
∙ Post-analytical phase
∙ Reporting
∙ Analytical validation
∙ Clinical validation
BIOLOGICAL RISKS RELATED TO THE MICROORGANISMS:
∙ Class I microorganisms
∙ Class II microorganisms
∙ Class III microorganisms
∙ Class IV microorganisms
LABORATORY MANAGEMENT OF HIV VIRUS, HEPATITIS B, C AND DELTA VIRUS:
General protocols and processing techniques
LABORATORY MANAGEMENT OF MICOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS
General protocols and processing techniques
LABORATORY PROCEDURES FOR BIOLOGICAL RISK MANAGEMENT:
∙ Algorithms and procedures for the right management;
∙ Laboratory test on the source patient;
∙ Laboratory test on the subject at risk;
∙ Reporting procedures and related issues