Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the scientific and cultural tools to learn about: 1. the principles and methodologies of epidemiology and prevention of infections of relevance to public health with particular regard to emerging ones; 2. the current impact of infectious diseases worldwide.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student must: 1. have acquired the basic knowledge on the most widespread emerging infectious diseases or those of particular epidemiological and / or health relevance; 2. Know the main emergency factors and the most suitable prevention methods in relation to the transmission methods.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Course syllabus
Part I — Hygiene, Public Health, Epidemiology and Prevention
· Hygiene, Public Health, health, disease, determinants, causes and risk factors.
· Natural history of communicable and non-communicable diseases: multifactorial diseases, pathogenicity, virulence and transmission.
· Essential elements of host defences, with reference to disease prevention and vaccination.
· Essential epidemiology: definition, incidence, prevalence, rates; descriptive, analytical and experimental studies; introduction to relative risk, odds ratio and impact measures.
· Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention; prevention of non-communicable diseases and screening.
· Prevention of communicable diseases: general prevention and control measures.
· Vaccines and vaccination strategies.
Part II — Clinical Microbiology and Infections of Public Health Interest
· Introduction to infectious diseases of the 21st century: emerging and re-emerging infections and factors driving emergence.
· Molecular evolution and phylogeny of microorganisms: applications to genomic surveillance and the study of infection spread.
· Dynamics of infectious diseases: main epidemiological parameters, transmission within populations and introduction to epidemic models.
· Emerging zoonoses and vector-borne infections, with examples including filoviruses, hantaviruses and arboviruses.
· Respiratory infections and emerging or pandemic viral infections: SARS, COVID-19 and influenza.
· Sexually transmitted infections: HIV/AIDS and other STIs; viral hepatitis.
· Introduction to foodborne infections, through supplementary blended-learning materials available on the Ariel platform.
· Hygiene, Public Health, health, disease, determinants, causes and risk factors.
· Natural history of communicable and non-communicable diseases: multifactorial diseases, pathogenicity, virulence and transmission.
· Essential elements of host defences, with reference to disease prevention and vaccination.
· Essential epidemiology: definition, incidence, prevalence, rates; descriptive, analytical and experimental studies; introduction to relative risk, odds ratio and impact measures.
· Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention; prevention of non-communicable diseases and screening.
· Prevention of communicable diseases: general prevention and control measures.
· Vaccines and vaccination strategies.
Part II — Clinical Microbiology and Infections of Public Health Interest
· Introduction to infectious diseases of the 21st century: emerging and re-emerging infections and factors driving emergence.
· Molecular evolution and phylogeny of microorganisms: applications to genomic surveillance and the study of infection spread.
· Dynamics of infectious diseases: main epidemiological parameters, transmission within populations and introduction to epidemic models.
· Emerging zoonoses and vector-borne infections, with examples including filoviruses, hantaviruses and arboviruses.
· Respiratory infections and emerging or pandemic viral infections: SARS, COVID-19 and influenza.
· Sexually transmitted infections: HIV/AIDS and other STIs; viral hepatitis.
· Introduction to foodborne infections, through supplementary blended-learning materials available on the Ariel platform.
Prerequisites for admission
Preliminary knowledge in biological subjects and general notions of epidemiology and prevention of communicable diseases.
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered through lectures, supported by slide presentations and any additional teaching materials made available to students on the Ariel platform. The lectures are aimed at supporting the acquisition of basic knowledge of Hygiene, Public Health, epidemiology, prevention, clinical microbiology and the main infections of public health interest, as well as the understanding and interpretation of the main disciplinary concepts covered in the course. During the lectures, applied examples and cases of epidemiological, preventive and microbiological relevance may be discussed, in order to foster the connection between theoretical contents and their application in healthcare settings. Some supplementary contents may be made available in blended-learning mode on the Ariel platform. Attendance requirements are in accordance with the Degree Programme Regulations.
Teaching Resources
Slides provided by the teacher (available on Ariel platform).
To deepen:
Robert I Krasner, Teri Shors, The microbial challenge: a public health perspective. Jones & Bartlett learning. Fourth Edition
- Pontello M., Auxilia F. - Igiene, medicina preventiva e salute globale - Piccin, 2022.
Pubblication of the lessons (.pdf) and other didactic material available on the dedicated Ariel website.
Bibliographic/Additional material provided by the teacher
To deepen:
Robert I Krasner, Teri Shors, The microbial challenge: a public health perspective. Jones & Bartlett learning. Fourth Edition
- Pontello M., Auxilia F. - Igiene, medicina preventiva e salute globale - Piccin, 2022.
Pubblication of the lessons (.pdf) and other didactic material available on the dedicated Ariel website.
Bibliographic/Additional material provided by the teacher
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment will be carried out through a final written test consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions, each with only one correct answer. The grade, expressed on a 30-point scale, will be based on the number of correct answers. The test is aimed at assessing knowledge of the course's core contents, understanding of the main disciplinary concepts, and the ability to apply and interpret basic notions related to epidemiology, prevention, public health and clinical microbiology. The duration of the test will be 30 minutes.
A mid-term written test is scheduled halfway through the course. It will consist of 30 multiple-choice questions, each with only one correct answer, and will cover the first part of the course. The mid-term test will be graded on a 30-point scale and will contribute to the final assessment by being averaged with the final test. The duration of the mid-term test will be 30 minutes.
Students who receive an insufficient grade in one or both tests, or who request it, will take an oral examination aimed at critically discussing the contents of the written tests and further assessing the knowledge acquired.
The results of the mid-term and final tests will be communicated through publication on the Ariel platform and/or through the Degree Programme Office and the official grade-recording system.
A mid-term written test is scheduled halfway through the course. It will consist of 30 multiple-choice questions, each with only one correct answer, and will cover the first part of the course. The mid-term test will be graded on a 30-point scale and will contribute to the final assessment by being averaged with the final test. The duration of the mid-term test will be 30 minutes.
Students who receive an insufficient grade in one or both tests, or who request it, will take an oral examination aimed at critically discussing the contents of the written tests and further assessing the knowledge acquired.
The results of the mid-term and final tests will be communicated through publication on the Ariel platform and/or through the Degree Programme Office and the official grade-recording system.
MEDS-03/A - Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology - University credits: 1
MEDS-24/B - Hygiene and Public Health - University credits: 5
MEDS-24/B - Hygiene and Public Health - University credits: 5
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Zehender Gianguglielmo
Professor(s)