Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
Fundamental notions concerning innate and adaptive immunity, regulation of immunity, local immunity and specific responses to viruses, bacteria, and parasites, definitions and modes of passive and active immunization, and the main differences between animal species. The students will also learn the methodology and applications of direct and indirect immunodiagnostic techniques. Acquisition of basic knowledge of biosecurity and veterinary microbiology with a focus on the pathogenic activities of bacteria and viruses. Main microbiological techniques applied in the veterinary field. Finally, the course aims to improve critical and analytical skills and abilities, providing the basis for dealing with an experimental design in immunology and veterinary microbiology.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will acquire the skills required to understand the functioning of the immune system of animals and the fundamental differences between species. The student will be able to understand the differences between direct and indirect immunological diagnostic approaches and the main characteristics of the most common immunodiagnostic assays.
The student will learn the characteristics that influence the pathogenicity of microorganisms and will be able to apply and understand the results of microbiological diagnostic tests. The student will learn the main notions of biosecurity. Finally, the student will be able to understand and design a simple experimental protocol of immunology and microbiology.
The student will learn the characteristics that influence the pathogenicity of microorganisms and will be able to apply and understand the results of microbiological diagnostic tests. The student will learn the main notions of biosecurity. Finally, the student will be able to understand and design a simple experimental protocol of immunology and microbiology.
Lesson period: Second semester
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Veterinary Immunology
Introduction: a brief history of Immunology and a general introduction to the immune system
Innate immunity
· The Recognition of Invaders
· Inflammation Mediators
· Neutrophils and Phagocytosis
· Macrophages and Recovery from Inflammation
· Systemic Responses to Inflammation
· The Complement System
· The Cytokines
· NK cells
Adaptive Immunity
· Antigens
· Dendritic Cells and Antigen Processing
· Organs of the Immune System
· Lymphocytes
· Helper T Cells and Their Response to Antigen
· B Cells and Their Response to Antigen
· Antibodies: structure and functions
· How Antigen-Binding Receptors Are Made
· Cell-mediated immunity
· Regulation of Adaptive Immunity
Immunity at Body Surfaces
Immunization and Vaccines
Immunity to Pathogens
Immunodiagnostic Techniques
Practicals: ELISA, Western Immunoblotting, Lateral flow devices, SNAP
Veterinary Microbiology
Biosafety
· Individual protection devices and biohazard
· Biosafety in animal farming
Microorganisms as pathogens
· Viruses: basic notions on morphology and functions
· Bacteriophages
· Main viruses of veterinary interest
· Stages of viral infection and interaction with the host cell
· Unconventional infectious agents: prions
· Pathogenicity factors
Microbiological diagnosis applied to public health
· Main isolation and identification techniques
· Main techniques for virological diagnosis
Antibacterials and antiseptics in the veterinary sector
· Physical and chemical systems for microorganism control
· Chamioterapics and antibiotics
· Antimicrobial resistance
Practicals:
Extraction and separation of bacterial or viral proteins from biological samples by means of molecular techniques
Evaluation of the bacterial resistome in biological samples (eg. Milk)
Introduction: a brief history of Immunology and a general introduction to the immune system
Innate immunity
· The Recognition of Invaders
· Inflammation Mediators
· Neutrophils and Phagocytosis
· Macrophages and Recovery from Inflammation
· Systemic Responses to Inflammation
· The Complement System
· The Cytokines
· NK cells
Adaptive Immunity
· Antigens
· Dendritic Cells and Antigen Processing
· Organs of the Immune System
· Lymphocytes
· Helper T Cells and Their Response to Antigen
· B Cells and Their Response to Antigen
· Antibodies: structure and functions
· How Antigen-Binding Receptors Are Made
· Cell-mediated immunity
· Regulation of Adaptive Immunity
Immunity at Body Surfaces
Immunization and Vaccines
Immunity to Pathogens
Immunodiagnostic Techniques
Practicals: ELISA, Western Immunoblotting, Lateral flow devices, SNAP
Veterinary Microbiology
Biosafety
· Individual protection devices and biohazard
· Biosafety in animal farming
Microorganisms as pathogens
· Viruses: basic notions on morphology and functions
· Bacteriophages
· Main viruses of veterinary interest
· Stages of viral infection and interaction with the host cell
· Unconventional infectious agents: prions
· Pathogenicity factors
Microbiological diagnosis applied to public health
· Main isolation and identification techniques
· Main techniques for virological diagnosis
Antibacterials and antiseptics in the veterinary sector
· Physical and chemical systems for microorganism control
· Chamioterapics and antibiotics
· Antimicrobial resistance
Practicals:
Extraction and separation of bacterial or viral proteins from biological samples by means of molecular techniques
Evaluation of the bacterial resistome in biological samples (eg. Milk)
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of cellular biology and basic microbiology; basic knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry.
Teaching methods
Class lectures integrated with instant polling (es. Kahoot, Wooclap) for enhancing student participation. Practical content lectures. Laboratory activities.
Teaching Resources
Ian Tizard: Veterinary Immunology;
Giorgio Poli et al.: Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria ed. EDRA
Materials available in the course webpages.
Giorgio Poli et al.: Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria ed. EDRA
Materials available in the course webpages.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Multiple-choice tests integrated with an oral examination.
Unità didattica: Immunologia
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 4
Practicals: 8 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 8 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 8 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Addis Maria Filippa
Unità didattica: Microbiologia Veterinaria
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 2
Single bench laboratory practical: 16 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Professor:
Bonizzi Luigi
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)