Laboratory Medicine

A.Y. 2023/2024
4
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/12 MED/05 MED/07
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the knowledge on:
i) role, purpose, potential, limits of laboratory medicine in health protection;
ii) ability to correctly propose the different laboratory tests in relation to the cost / benefit ratio;
iii) criteria for interpretation of laboratory reports.
Expected learning outcomes
The students:
i) know the intervention levels of the biochemistry, microbiology and clinical pathology laboratory;
ii) are able to request laboratory tests and interpret the reports.
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
Prerequisites for admission
The student must have complete mastery of the concepts covered in the courses of Propaedeutic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology and Pathology
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a written test with 80 multiple-choice questions on the topics covered by this program divided into disciplinary modules. The vote obtained is the result of the arithmetic average of the votes reported for each form. To pass the exam you must report a score of 18/30 for each module: the wrong questions do not give negative score.
Clinical biochemistry and molecular biology
Course syllabus
Biochemistry General Clinic
Introduction, purpose, potential and limits of laboratory tests. Levels of laboratory intervention. Diagnostic test concepts and their purposes (screening, in-depth diagnostic, disease monitoring). Analytical profile concept. Examination of organ or apparatus function. Operation of a centralized laboratory and Point-of-Care; organizational, technical and economic aspects.
The pre-analytic phase and its sources of variability. The preparation of the patient. Collection of treatment and storage of biological samples for diagnostic purposes: blood, urine and faeces, Cephalorachidian fluid (liquor), fluids of discharge into the serous cavities, synovial fluid, amniotic fluid, seminal fluid, gastric juice, sweat. Acceptability criteria for biological samples by the analytical laboratory.
Post-analytical Variability: the Laboratory' report.
Analytical variability and biological variability. Types of errors. Reliability of a dosing method. Analytical variability and factors influencing it (accuracy, precision, sensitivity and analytical specificity). Intra- and extra-individual biological variability and factors that influence it. Analytical goals. Overview of quality control.
Interpretation of data: reference ranges, desirable levels, decision levels and critical values, critical difference.
Hints of Diagnostic logic: sensitivity and clinical specificity predictive values, ROC curves

Systemic Clinical Biochemistry
Diagnostic examinations as an example, chosen by the Teacher:
. Interpretation of complete urine analysis for diagnostic use
. Interpretation of the results of the main diagnostic investigations in cardiovascular disease
. Interpretation of biochemical-clinical alterations in states of dyslipidemia
. Interpretation and meaning of tumor markers
. Interpretation of clinical biochemical changes in kidney diseases
. Role of the laboratory in the diagnosis and surveillance of diabetes
. Role of the laboratory in the diagnosis of liver diseases
. Role of the laboratory in the diagnosis of jaundice.
. Principles and applications of the main techniques used in clinical biochemistry
. Diagnostic potential of plasma proteins.
Teaching methods
Each credit includes hours of frontal and innovative teaching. The innovative teaching activities consist in the deepening of specific topics of the course syllabus, that will be selected by the students and the teacher. Such activity will be carried out in active collaboration between students and teacher.
The course (2 ECTS) total) will be delivered through lectures with power point presentation (PPT) and activities in laboratory and on mannequin. The teaching material will be available on the ARIEL platform of the course. A part of the course will be provided by an alternative method chosen by the teacher (recorded lessons, tests, videos, in-depth articles) to facilitate and integrate the learning in itinere of the contents explained.
Teaching Resources
The following texts are recommended for the Biochemistry module:
· Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 8th Edition- Nader Rifai-Ed. Elsevier
· Biochimica Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio -M. Ciaccio, G. Lippi-Ed. Edises
· Laposata M. Medicina di laboratorio - La diagnosi della malattia nel laboratorio clinico, Piccin, Torino. ISBN: 978-88-299-3127-9
. Antonozzi, Gulletta. Medicina di laboratorio Logica & Patologia Clinica 2019 ISBN: 978-88-299-2973-3. Piccin.
· Trattato Italiano di Medicina di Laboratorio. Fondato da Angelo Burlina. Vol- VII Interpretazione degli Esami di Laboratorio, Panteghini -Ed. Piccin.
· Medicina di laboratorio - G Federici - Ed. McGraw-Hill
· Ronald A. Sacher -Interpretazione clinica degli esami di laboratorio - Ed. McGraw-Hill
Clinical pathology
Course syllabus
Diagnostics of Cephalorachidian fluid (2h)
Coagulation and diagnosis of its alterations (2h)
Diagnostics of pleuric and synovial fluid (2h)
Bone turnover biomarkers (2h)
Diagnostic use of saliva (2h)
Seminal fluid diagnostics (2h)
Teaching methods
Each credit includes hours of frontal and innovative teaching. The innovative teaching activities consist in the deepening of specific topics of the course syllabus, that will be selected by the students and the teacher. Such activity will be carried out in active collaboration between students and teacher.
The module (1 ECTS) will be delivered through frontal lectures (8h) and recorded lessons (4h) The teaching material will be available on the ARIEL platform of the course.
Teaching Resources
- Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 8th Edition- Nader Rifai-Ed. Elsevier
- Biochimica Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio -M. Ciaccio, G. Lippi-Ed. Edises
- Laposata M. Medicina di laboratorio - La diagnosi della malattia nel laboratorio clinico, Piccin, Torino. ISBN: 978-88-299-3127-9
- Antonozzi, Gulletta. Medicina di laboratorio Logica & Patologia Clinica 2019 ISBN: 978-88-299-2973-3. Piccin.
Microbiology and clinical microbiology
Course syllabus
Diagnosis of infection
· Direct and indirect diagnosis of infection
· The diagnostic suspicion for the request of the microbiological investigation
· How the characteristics of infectious agents influence a correct processing of microbiological samples
· Knowledge of the main methods of direct and indirect microbiological investigations
· Timing of reporting
· Interpretation of the microbiological report in relation to the infection phase (recent, previous or chronic for serological investigations) and therapeutic orientation (sensitivity tests to antimicrobial drugs)

Diagnostic investigations, direct and indirect, and interpretation of the report for:
· Viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV, HAV, HEV, HDV)
· HIV and related opportunistic infections
- Bloodstream infections
- Nervous system infections
· Sexually transmitted infections
· Infections of the respiratory and genitourinary system

Infection control
· Concept of nosocomial infections, related to health and community care
· Main nosocomial infectious agents and related problems
· TORCH complex and preventive methodologies
Teaching methods
Each credit includes hours of frontal and innovative teaching. The innovative teaching activities consist in the deepening of specific topics of the course syllabus, that will be selected by the students and the teacher. Such activity will be carried out in active collaboration between students and teacher.
The module (1 ECTS) will be delivered through lectures with powerpoint presentation (PPT). Lecture slides will be available on the ARIEL platform of the course.
Teaching Resources
· Antonelli G., M. Clementi, G. Pozzi, G.M. Rossolini - Principi di Microbiologia Medica - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Rozzano (MI);
· Murray P.R., K.S. Rosenthal, M.A. Pfaller - Microbiologia Medica, EDRA, Milano).
or in alternative:
· Lanciotti E, Microbiologia Clinica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Rozzano
Clinical biochemistry and molecular biology
BIO/12 - CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 16 hours
: 8 hours
Clinical pathology
MED/05 - CLINICAL PATHOLOGY - University credits: 1
Lectures: 8 hours
: 4 hours
Professor: Dozio Elena
Microbiology and clinical microbiology
MED/07 - MICROBIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 1
Lessons: 8 hours
: 4 hours
Professor: Borghi Elisa
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
San Paolo Hospital, blocco C, 8th floor, room 813
Reception:
By appointment to be agreed by e-mail
H San Paolo -9 piano Blocco C