Pathogenesis and Diagnostics
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
To know the structure of the main pathogenic microorganisms for humans
To know the physiological defense mechanisms of the organism
To know the relationship between pathogenic and host microorganisms in human infections
To know the methods and use of radiation
To know the methods of laboratory diagnostics
To know the laboratory tests and the imaging diagnostic tests typical of pathological pictures
To know the reference parameters of laboratory diagnostics and diagnostic imaging
To know the current radiation protection standards
To know the causes, the pathogenetic and pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases
To describe the main cellular changes during illness
To know the inflammatory and healing processes
To know the physiological defense mechanisms of the organism
To know the relationship between pathogenic and host microorganisms in human infections
To know the methods and use of radiation
To know the methods of laboratory diagnostics
To know the laboratory tests and the imaging diagnostic tests typical of pathological pictures
To know the reference parameters of laboratory diagnostics and diagnostic imaging
To know the current radiation protection standards
To know the causes, the pathogenetic and pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases
To describe the main cellular changes during illness
To know the inflammatory and healing processes
Expected learning outcomes
The student will describe the EU radiation protection standards.
It will link pathogenic microorganisms with the physiological defense mechanisms in human infections.
It will recognize signs and symptoms of inflammatory diseases.
It will identify the causes and physiopathogenetic mechanisms underlying the diseases
The student will illustrate the specific diagnostic investigations for the different pathological conditions.
It will interpret the results of diagnostic investigations in relation to the reference parameters.
It will link pathogenic microorganisms with the physiological defense mechanisms in human infections.
It will recognize signs and symptoms of inflammatory diseases.
It will identify the causes and physiopathogenetic mechanisms underlying the diseases
The student will illustrate the specific diagnostic investigations for the different pathological conditions.
It will interpret the results of diagnostic investigations in relation to the reference parameters.
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
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites other than those required for admission to the degree course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The written test includes closed and / or open-ended questions
Clinical biochemistry and molecular biology
Course syllabus
Clinical biochemistry: introductions, purposes and definitions
Laboratory tests
Blood and urine sample
Other types of biological sample
Concept of total variability; biological variability and influencing factors
Patient preparation
Pre-analytical variability: sampling, storage, transport and delivery
Acceptance criteria for biological sample
Analytical variability
Types of errors. Reliability of dosage method
Quality checks
Post-analytical variability: reporting
Reference values
Analytical goals and critical difference
Logic diagnostic: clinical sensitivity and specificity, predictive values
Deepening of some topics chosen by the teacher (the role of the laboratory in situations like heart attack, diabetes, liver disease, dyslipidemia )
Laboratory tests
Blood and urine sample
Other types of biological sample
Concept of total variability; biological variability and influencing factors
Patient preparation
Pre-analytical variability: sampling, storage, transport and delivery
Acceptance criteria for biological sample
Analytical variability
Types of errors. Reliability of dosage method
Quality checks
Post-analytical variability: reporting
Reference values
Analytical goals and critical difference
Logic diagnostic: clinical sensitivity and specificity, predictive values
Deepening of some topics chosen by the teacher (the role of the laboratory in situations like heart attack, diabetes, liver disease, dyslipidemia )
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
· Albi E. Biochimica clinica essenziale. Bologna: Zanichelli, 2019.
· Ciaccio M. Elementi di Biochimica clinica e Medicina di laboratorio-Edises, 2020.
· Federici G. Medicina di laboratorio. Milano: McGraw Hill, 2014
· Ciaccio M. Elementi di Biochimica clinica e Medicina di laboratorio-Edises, 2020.
· Federici G. Medicina di laboratorio. Milano: McGraw Hill, 2014
Experimental medicine and pathophysiology
Course syllabus
Introduction of epigenetica
Disease concept: aetiology and pathogenesis
Cell pathology (necrosis and apoptosis)
Storage Disease (steatosis and amyloidosis)
Humoral and cellular immunology and immunopathology
Acute inflammation (margining and chemotaxis, phagocytosis, mediators of inflammation, systemic reactions)
Chronic inflammation
Wound healing
Pathogenetic and physiopathological causes and mechanisms of diseases: Diabetes, Anemias and red blood cell pathology, Pathology of blood coagulation
Atherosclerosis
Benign and malignant tumors, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, metastasis
Disease concept: aetiology and pathogenesis
Cell pathology (necrosis and apoptosis)
Storage Disease (steatosis and amyloidosis)
Humoral and cellular immunology and immunopathology
Acute inflammation (margining and chemotaxis, phagocytosis, mediators of inflammation, systemic reactions)
Chronic inflammation
Wound healing
Pathogenetic and physiopathological causes and mechanisms of diseases: Diabetes, Anemias and red blood cell pathology, Pathology of blood coagulation
Atherosclerosis
Benign and malignant tumors, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, metastasis
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
· Pontieri GM. Elementi di Patologia generale e fisiopatologia generale. Per i corsi di laurea in professioni sanitarie. (4ed). Milano: Piccin, 2018
Microbiology and clinical microbiology
Course syllabus
The main differences of the cells of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms about the structure, organization and methods of reproduction. Differences between microorganisms and viruses
Horizontal and vertical transmission of microorganism, viruses, and the importance of vehicles and carriers - main pathogenicity and virulence characteristics of microorganisms
Host-pathogen interaction: colonization, symbiosis, commensalism, infection and disease - factors facilitating microbial invasion
Sterilization and disinfection procedures - mechanism of action of disinfectants and main applications
Criteria for the collection and transport of biological samples for microbiological diagnosis in the laboratory - direct and indirect diagnosis of infection
Main direct and indirect microbiological investigations - diagnostic investigations in relation to the infection phase (recent, regressed and chronic infection) and to the therapeutic orientation (sensitivity tests for antimicrobial drugs)
Ultrastructure and functions of the different components of the bacterial cell, chemical composition and structure of the cell wall of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, reproduction.
Mechanism of action of antibacterial inhibitor drugs of cell wall synthesis, cytoplasmic membrane functions, protein and nucleic acid synthesis and microbial drug-resistance mechanisms
Morphology, ultrastructure and function of the components of the fungal cell, sexual and asexual reproduction - main antifungal drugs, mechanism of action and possible development of resistance
Morphology, relationship between structures and functions, and mode of reproduction of protozoa
Origin, organization and methods of replication of animal viruses - persistent, slow, latent viral infection - main antiviral drugs and mechanisms of action
Resident microbiota of the human body and composition in the various apparatuses
Characteristics of: Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus spp, pathogenic Neisseria, Enterobacteria, sporigenic bacilli, Mycobacterium
Morphological, cultural and pathogenic characteristics of the main fungal agents with particular reference to Candida, Cryptococcus and Aspergillus
Notes on the main protozoa of human interest
The main agents of viral infections (Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Picornaviridae retroviridae and hepatic viruses)
Nosocomial infections: definition, risk factors and main pathogens
Horizontal and vertical transmission of microorganism, viruses, and the importance of vehicles and carriers - main pathogenicity and virulence characteristics of microorganisms
Host-pathogen interaction: colonization, symbiosis, commensalism, infection and disease - factors facilitating microbial invasion
Sterilization and disinfection procedures - mechanism of action of disinfectants and main applications
Criteria for the collection and transport of biological samples for microbiological diagnosis in the laboratory - direct and indirect diagnosis of infection
Main direct and indirect microbiological investigations - diagnostic investigations in relation to the infection phase (recent, regressed and chronic infection) and to the therapeutic orientation (sensitivity tests for antimicrobial drugs)
Ultrastructure and functions of the different components of the bacterial cell, chemical composition and structure of the cell wall of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, reproduction.
Mechanism of action of antibacterial inhibitor drugs of cell wall synthesis, cytoplasmic membrane functions, protein and nucleic acid synthesis and microbial drug-resistance mechanisms
Morphology, ultrastructure and function of the components of the fungal cell, sexual and asexual reproduction - main antifungal drugs, mechanism of action and possible development of resistance
Morphology, relationship between structures and functions, and mode of reproduction of protozoa
Origin, organization and methods of replication of animal viruses - persistent, slow, latent viral infection - main antiviral drugs and mechanisms of action
Resident microbiota of the human body and composition in the various apparatuses
Characteristics of: Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus spp, pathogenic Neisseria, Enterobacteria, sporigenic bacilli, Mycobacterium
Morphological, cultural and pathogenic characteristics of the main fungal agents with particular reference to Candida, Cryptococcus and Aspergillus
Notes on the main protozoa of human interest
The main agents of viral infections (Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Picornaviridae retroviridae and hepatic viruses)
Nosocomial infections: definition, risk factors and main pathogens
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
· Lanciotti E. Elementi di microbiologia clinica.(2ed) Milano: Casa editrice Ambrosiana, 2021.
· Castagliuolo I. Principi di microbiologia clinica per le scienze infermieristiche, Piccin, 2022
· Castagliuolo I. Principi di microbiologia clinica per le scienze infermieristiche, Piccin, 2022
Diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy
Course syllabus
Basics of physics, principles of radiobiology
Radiation protection for operators
Diagnostic radiology: therapeutic indications and contraindications; radiation protection for patients
Nuclear medicine: therapeutic indications and contraindications; radiation protection for patients
Radiotherapy: therapeutic indications and contraindications; radiation protection for patients
Radiation protection for operators
Diagnostic radiology: therapeutic indications and contraindications; radiation protection for patients
Nuclear medicine: therapeutic indications and contraindications; radiation protection for patients
Radiotherapy: therapeutic indications and contraindications; radiation protection for patients
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
· Cittadini, Cittadini, Sardanelli. Diagnostica per immagini e radioterapia. Milano: EDRA 2015
Modules or teaching units
Clinical biochemistry and molecular biology
BIOS-09/A - Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology - University credits: 1
Lessons: 15 hours
Diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy
MEDS-22/A - Imaging and Radiotherapy - University credits: 1
Lessons: 15 hours
Experimental medicine and pathophysiology
MEDS-02/A - Experimental Medicine and Pathophysiology - University credits: 2
Lessons: 30 hours
Microbiology and clinical microbiology
MEDS-03/A - Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology - University credits: 2
Lessons: 30 hours