Microbiology
A.A. 2025/2026
Obiettivi formativi
The course focuses on the causes of cell, tissue, and organ injury (general pathology), on the major groups of microbial pathogens that cause human diseases (microbiology).
Risultati apprendimento attesi
At the end of the course, students will gain understanding of how the body reacts to physical and biological agents to recover homeostasis and the main microbial pathogens and body's immune reactions to infections
Periodo: Primo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento non può essere seguito come corso singolo. Puoi trovare gli insegnamenti disponibili consultando il catalogo corsi singoli.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Programma
The course includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics, divided into general parts (General Microbiology) and special parts (Special Microbiology: Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology and Parasitology).
General Microbiology:
· Interaction between infectious agents and humans
· Main transmission routes (horizontal and vertical) of infectious agents
· Distinction between colonization, symbiosis, commensalism, infection and disease
· Microbiota (resident microbial population of the human body and composition in the various systems, composition of the microbiota in breast milk)
· Classification of infectious agents
· Morphology and structure of the bacterial cell: main components of the structures external to the cytoplasmic membrane
· Pathogenicity characteristics of the bacterial cell: biofilm, capsule, enzymes, flagella, pili, plasmids, toxins
· Gene exchange in the bacterial cell: conjugation, transduction, transformation
· Culture of bacteria and main stains
· Process of sporulation and germination
· Molecular structure and classification of human viruses
· Virus-host interaction
· Replication cycle of human viruses
· Viral genetics
· Mode of transmission and concept of persistent, slow, latent
· Morphology, ultrastructure and function of the components of the fungal cell and sexual and asexual reproduction
· Modes of transmission of fungal agents in human infections
· Main pathogenicity characteristics of fungi
· Classification of fungal infections
· Main drugs with antifungal activity, their mechanism of action, development of drug resistance
· Morphology, structure-function relationship, and reproduction methods of protozoa
· Modes of transmission and importance of vectors
Special Microbiology:
Bacteriology:
· Structure, pathogenicity factors, type of infection, pathogenesis of bacteria causing human infections:
· Staphylococci, with particular reference to Staphylococcus aureus;
· Streptococci, with particular reference to: Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae;
· Neisseria with particular reference to: Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis;
· Enterobacteriaceae with particular reference to exogenous acquired genera (Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia and Yersinia) and endogenous acquired species (E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp.);
· Mycobacteria with particular reference to: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, M. leprae, M. avium intracellulare;
· Gram-positive bacilli with particular reference to: Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Listeria moncytogenes;
· Gram-positive spore-forming bacilli with particular reference to: Bacillus anthracis, Clostridioides difficile, Clostridium botulinum, C. perfringens and C. tetani;
· Gram-negative bacilli with particular reference to: Helicobacter pylori, Legionella pneumophila and Vibrio cholerae;
· Spiral-shaped bacteria with particular reference to: Treponema pallidum, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira spp.;
· Mycoplasmas with particular reference to: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. genitalium, M. hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum;
· Obligate endocellular bacteria with particular reference to: Chlamydia trachomatis, Clamydiophila pneumoniae, Rickettsia spp.
Virology:
· Main families, replication modes, pathogenesis of infections related to:
· DNA viruses: Herpesviridae, Adenoviridae, Parvoviridae, Papillomaviridae; Polyomaviridae, Poxviridae,
· RNA viruses: Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Picornaviridae, Togaviridae, Coronaviridae;
· Primary hepatitis viruses: HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV;
· Retroviridae: HIV, HTLV.
Fungi or Mycetes:
· Morphological, cultural and pathogenicity characteristics of:
· yeast-like fungi with particular reference to Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp.;
· filamentous fungi with particular reference to Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Mucorales and dermatophytes;
· dimorphic fungi.
Parasitology:
· Morphological characteristics, reproduction methods and pathogenesis of infections caused by:
· Pathogenic amoebae,
· Flagellates: Giardia lamblia, Trichomonas vaginalis, Trypanosoma spp., Leishmania spp.,
· Sporozoa: Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma gondii.
General Microbiology:
· Interaction between infectious agents and humans
· Main transmission routes (horizontal and vertical) of infectious agents
· Distinction between colonization, symbiosis, commensalism, infection and disease
· Microbiota (resident microbial population of the human body and composition in the various systems, composition of the microbiota in breast milk)
· Classification of infectious agents
· Morphology and structure of the bacterial cell: main components of the structures external to the cytoplasmic membrane
· Pathogenicity characteristics of the bacterial cell: biofilm, capsule, enzymes, flagella, pili, plasmids, toxins
· Gene exchange in the bacterial cell: conjugation, transduction, transformation
· Culture of bacteria and main stains
· Process of sporulation and germination
· Molecular structure and classification of human viruses
· Virus-host interaction
· Replication cycle of human viruses
· Viral genetics
· Mode of transmission and concept of persistent, slow, latent
· Morphology, ultrastructure and function of the components of the fungal cell and sexual and asexual reproduction
· Modes of transmission of fungal agents in human infections
· Main pathogenicity characteristics of fungi
· Classification of fungal infections
· Main drugs with antifungal activity, their mechanism of action, development of drug resistance
· Morphology, structure-function relationship, and reproduction methods of protozoa
· Modes of transmission and importance of vectors
Special Microbiology:
Bacteriology:
· Structure, pathogenicity factors, type of infection, pathogenesis of bacteria causing human infections:
· Staphylococci, with particular reference to Staphylococcus aureus;
· Streptococci, with particular reference to: Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae;
· Neisseria with particular reference to: Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis;
· Enterobacteriaceae with particular reference to exogenous acquired genera (Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia and Yersinia) and endogenous acquired species (E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp.);
· Mycobacteria with particular reference to: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, M. leprae, M. avium intracellulare;
· Gram-positive bacilli with particular reference to: Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Listeria moncytogenes;
· Gram-positive spore-forming bacilli with particular reference to: Bacillus anthracis, Clostridioides difficile, Clostridium botulinum, C. perfringens and C. tetani;
· Gram-negative bacilli with particular reference to: Helicobacter pylori, Legionella pneumophila and Vibrio cholerae;
· Spiral-shaped bacteria with particular reference to: Treponema pallidum, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira spp.;
· Mycoplasmas with particular reference to: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. genitalium, M. hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum;
· Obligate endocellular bacteria with particular reference to: Chlamydia trachomatis, Clamydiophila pneumoniae, Rickettsia spp.
Virology:
· Main families, replication modes, pathogenesis of infections related to:
· DNA viruses: Herpesviridae, Adenoviridae, Parvoviridae, Papillomaviridae; Polyomaviridae, Poxviridae,
· RNA viruses: Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Picornaviridae, Togaviridae, Coronaviridae;
· Primary hepatitis viruses: HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV;
· Retroviridae: HIV, HTLV.
Fungi or Mycetes:
· Morphological, cultural and pathogenicity characteristics of:
· yeast-like fungi with particular reference to Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp.;
· filamentous fungi with particular reference to Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Mucorales and dermatophytes;
· dimorphic fungi.
Parasitology:
· Morphological characteristics, reproduction methods and pathogenesis of infections caused by:
· Pathogenic amoebae,
· Flagellates: Giardia lamblia, Trichomonas vaginalis, Trypanosoma spp., Leishmania spp.,
· Sporozoa: Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma gondii.
Prerequisiti
To learn properly topics covered by the Microbiology course, it is necessary for the students to know the basic concepts of molecular biology, pathology, and immunology.
Metodi didattici
Synchronous learning: classroom lectures (40 hours).
Asynchronous learning: the teacher will provide e-learning and text-based material through Ariel platform (8 hours). Students could then have chance to discuss the topics with the teacher during scheduled sessions.
Asynchronous learning: the teacher will provide e-learning and text-based material through Ariel platform (8 hours). Students could then have chance to discuss the topics with the teacher during scheduled sessions.
Materiale di riferimento
· P Murray, K Rosenthal, M Pfaller. MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
· Jawetz, Melnick, and Adelberg's. MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
· Jawetz, Melnick, and Adelberg's. MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The achievement by the student of the expected learning outcomes is verified through a final written exam based on open-ended questions. During the exam, the knowledge of the topics (of the synchronous and asynchronous learning) as well as the clarity of the written form is assessed. The grade is awarded in 30ths. The score obtained is published on the Ariel website of the course, anonymously (registration number).
The examinations will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Not passed: important deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited capacity for analysis and synthesis, frequent generalizations.
18-20: knowledge and understanding of the topics as soon as sufficient with possible imperfections. Capacity for analysis, sufficient synthesis and argumentation capacity.
21-23: Knowledge and understanding of the general topics; Ability to analyze and summarize correctly with consistent logical argumentation.
24-26: Discreet knowledge and understanding of the topics; good capacity for analysis and synthesis with rigorously expressed arguments.
27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; considerable capacity for analysis, synthesis. Good argumentation capacity.
30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding of the topics. Remarkable capacity of analysis and synthesis. Arguments expressed in an original and proper way.
Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
The examinations will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Not passed: important deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited capacity for analysis and synthesis, frequent generalizations.
18-20: knowledge and understanding of the topics as soon as sufficient with possible imperfections. Capacity for analysis, sufficient synthesis and argumentation capacity.
21-23: Knowledge and understanding of the general topics; Ability to analyze and summarize correctly with consistent logical argumentation.
24-26: Discreet knowledge and understanding of the topics; good capacity for analysis and synthesis with rigorously expressed arguments.
27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; considerable capacity for analysis, synthesis. Good argumentation capacity.
30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding of the topics. Remarkable capacity of analysis and synthesis. Arguments expressed in an original and proper way.
Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
MED/07 - MICROBIOLOGIA E MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA - CFU: 4
Lezioni: 40 ore
Lezioni - Didattica Innovativa: 8 ore
Lezioni - Didattica Innovativa: 8 ore
Docente:
Signorini Lucia
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
previo appuntamento da concordare via e-mail