Training Course 01: Diagnostic Approach to Infectious Diseases of Pets
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to resume with students the key information related to the main infectious (viral, bacterial and mycotic) diseases of cats and dogs (and other non conventional pets) and to elaborate them for a correct diagnosis
Expected learning outcomes
The students must demonstrate to know the features of the main infectious diseases affecting pets, and to be able to manage different clinical cases in order to make a correct diagnosis using the most suitable laboratory techniques
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The program remains unchanged and, if possible, all lectures and practices will be held face-to-face.
In case of COVID-related restrictions, if possible at least the practices will be held face-to-face, otherwise lectures and practices will be in distance mode both synchronously through the Microsoft Teams platform and asynchronously with audio-lectures and links to various scientific videos in Ariel platform.
The exams also remain unchanged: if possible, the exams will be held face-to-face, otherwise they will be in distance mode using Microsoft Teams platform.
In case of COVID-related restrictions, if possible at least the practices will be held face-to-face, otherwise lectures and practices will be in distance mode both synchronously through the Microsoft Teams platform and asynchronously with audio-lectures and links to various scientific videos in Ariel platform.
The exams also remain unchanged: if possible, the exams will be held face-to-face, otherwise they will be in distance mode using Microsoft Teams platform.
Prerequisites for admission
Students who choose this teaching must have general knowledge of microbiology and immunology, remember the main points of the most important viral and bacterial infectious diseases of small animals and have basis of pharmacology and molecular biology
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning will be assessed during all the practical activities of the course. Clinical rotation and modules of elective activity contribute in a different way to the definition of the final mark.
In clinical rotation, assessment of skills will be carried out in itinere by each teacher during clinical and diagnostic practical activities. Each specific practical competence carried out by the student will be attested through the electronic logbook by the teacher in whose presence this will be carried out. The regular frequency of activities and the acquisition of skills that the student will have to learn and possess at the end of the activity will result in an "approved" assessment.
At the end of the course, for the elective modules of the course, the verification of learning is performed by written examination, different depending on the subject:
Immunological diagnostics: discussion of a clinical case of immunodiagnostics
Virological diagnostics: n. 11 multiple-choice questions on explained topics of the course
Bacteriological diagnostics: n. 4 open questions about explained theoretical topics and practical activities
In clinical rotation, assessment of skills will be carried out in itinere by each teacher during clinical and diagnostic practical activities. Each specific practical competence carried out by the student will be attested through the electronic logbook by the teacher in whose presence this will be carried out. The regular frequency of activities and the acquisition of skills that the student will have to learn and possess at the end of the activity will result in an "approved" assessment.
At the end of the course, for the elective modules of the course, the verification of learning is performed by written examination, different depending on the subject:
Immunological diagnostics: discussion of a clinical case of immunodiagnostics
Virological diagnostics: n. 11 multiple-choice questions on explained topics of the course
Bacteriological diagnostics: n. 4 open questions about explained theoretical topics and practical activities
Clinical Rotation
Course syllabus
In the document of the Day one competences "(DOCs), drawn up by the European Coordinating Committee on Veterinary Training, there is a list of knowledge and skills that the new graduate must possess. The electronic logbook lists the practical skills that the student must acquire to satisfy what is reported in the DOCs document. The hospital rotation is aimed at making the student acquire the skills and competences shown in the electronic logbook which from time to time it will be appropriate to apply on patients and case studies assigned.
Teaching methods
Practical work on referred for visit and hospitalized patients and on biological material provided for diagnostic purposes at the Teaching Veterinary Hospital. The work will be carried out by the students individually or in groups under the direct guidance of the teachers. All students will carry out activities in the Companion Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in the Ruminant and Swine Clinic, in Equine Clinic and in the facilities of the diagnostic services
Teaching Resources
No specific reference material is foreseen. In relation to the activities carried out from time to time, students may be asked to research and discuss scientific literature on specific cases observed
Immunology
Course syllabus
- Immunodiagnostics: usable samples; specificity and sensitivity; how to make a diagnosis
- Antibody titer: theoretical basis, interpretation and clinical meaning; acute and convalescent serum; practical examples
- Main immunodiagnostics reactions: agglutination assays (haemagglutination, Coombs test, haemagglutination inhibition); serum neutralization; direct and indirect immune fluorescence; ELISA technique; immune chromatography (lateral flow); practical examples
- Rapid in-clinics kits: theoretical basis, advantages and disadvantages; comparison with gold standard tests; practical examples
- Key point of the main infectious diseases of the dog and cat for their serological diagnosis
- Clinical cases discussed together
- Antibody titer: theoretical basis, interpretation and clinical meaning; acute and convalescent serum; practical examples
- Main immunodiagnostics reactions: agglutination assays (haemagglutination, Coombs test, haemagglutination inhibition); serum neutralization; direct and indirect immune fluorescence; ELISA technique; immune chromatography (lateral flow); practical examples
- Rapid in-clinics kits: theoretical basis, advantages and disadvantages; comparison with gold standard tests; practical examples
- Key point of the main infectious diseases of the dog and cat for their serological diagnosis
- Clinical cases discussed together
Teaching methods
Theoretical teaching is provided using PPT with figures and video and discussion of practical cases; practical teaching includes the application of the main immunodiagnostic techniques in the lab using serum/plasma samples supplied by the teacher and/or directly collected by students
Teaching Resources
Poli G., Dall'Ara P., Martino P.A., Rosati (2017): Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria. 3a edizione, EDRA
Greene C.E. (2012): Infectious diseases of the dog and cat. 4th ed., Elsevier
Dall'Ara P. (2020): Vaccini e vaccinazioni degli animali da compagnia. EDRA, Milano
PDF of PPT slides of the course present on Ariel platform
Greene C.E. (2012): Infectious diseases of the dog and cat. 4th ed., Elsevier
Dall'Ara P. (2020): Vaccini e vaccinazioni degli animali da compagnia. EDRA, Milano
PDF of PPT slides of the course present on Ariel platform
Diagnostic virology
Course syllabus
- Viruses: main characteristics and replication cycle
- Diagnostic techniques for direct diagnosis of viral diseases: theoretical basis; practical examples of electron microscopy, virus isolation and molecular techniques
- Key point of the main viral diseases of pets and direct examination of specimens.
- Discussion of clinical cases
- Diagnostic techniques for direct diagnosis of viral diseases: theoretical basis; practical examples of electron microscopy, virus isolation and molecular techniques
- Key point of the main viral diseases of pets and direct examination of specimens.
- Discussion of clinical cases
Teaching methods
Practical teaching is based on the application of the main biomolecular techniques in the lab using samples supplied by the teacher and/or directly collected by students; visit to public health diagnostic laboratories for electron microscopy and virus isolation; use of slides and discussion of practical cases
Teaching Resources
Poli G., Dall'Ara P., Martino P.A., Rosati (2017): Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria. 3a edizione, EDRA
Greene C.E. (2012): Infectious diseases of the dog and cat. 4th ed., Elsevier
Slides of the course on Ariel platform
Greene C.E. (2012): Infectious diseases of the dog and cat. 4th ed., Elsevier
Slides of the course on Ariel platform
Diagnostic of bacterial and mycotic diseases of companion animals
Course syllabus
- Bacteria: main characteristics and taxonomy
- Cultural media for microbial isolation; biochemical tests; diagnostic kit; molecular techniques
- Principal bacteria involved in samples from different origin
- Antimicrobial molecules; antibiogram; MIC; interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility results
- Cultural media for microbial isolation; biochemical tests; diagnostic kit; molecular techniques
- Principal bacteria involved in samples from different origin
- Antimicrobial molecules; antibiogram; MIC; interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility results
Teaching methods
Theoretical teaching is provided using slides; practical teaching includes the application of the main microbiological techniques directly in the lab using samples collected by students themselves
Teaching Resources
Poli G. et al. Microbiologia e immunologia Veterinaria. Ed. EDRA, Milano, 2017
Markey B. et al. Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, II Ed., Elsevier, 2014
Markey B. et al. Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, II Ed., Elsevier, 2014
Modules or teaching units
Clinical Rotation
VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES
VET/08 - VETERINARY CLINICAL MEDICINE
VET/09 - VETERINARY CLINICAL SURGERY
VET/10 - VETERINARY CLINICAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES
VET/08 - VETERINARY CLINICAL MEDICINE
VET/09 - VETERINARY CLINICAL SURGERY
VET/10 - VETERINARY CLINICAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Practicals: 64 hours
Professors:
Di Giancamillo Mauro, Faverzani Stefano, Ferrari Roberta, Ferrucci Francesco, Giordano Alessia, Grieco Valeria, Groppetti Debora, Lauzi Stefania, Pecile Alessandro, Pravettoni Davide, Ravasio Giuliano, Romussi Stefano Felice Maria, Scarpa Paola, Zani Davide Danilo
Diagnostic of bacterial and mycotic diseases of companion animals
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 1
Practicals: 16 hours
Professor:
Martino Piera Anna Maria
Diagnostic virology
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 1
Practicals: 16 hours
Professor:
Lauzi Stefania
Immunology
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 2
Practicals: 32 hours
Professor:
Dall'Ara Paola Emanuela Maria
Professor(s)
Reception:
contact me by mail or phone
Reception:
to be arranged by phone or e-mail
Lodi Campus. Office n. T024
Reception:
Monday to friday, on request (via e-mail)
Teacher's office
Reception:
every day (with previous appointment by e-mail)
Lodi, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS)
Reception:
Wednesday, 11.00-13.00 a.m., by appointment
Clinica dei Ruminanti e del Suino - Via dell'Università, 6 26900 LODI
Reception:
10 a.m. - 11,30 am. Every Wednesday
Ufficio-Settore didattico Palazzina Studi, I piano, Lodi (Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria)