Microbiology and Pathology

CELLULAR PATHOLOGY
Cellular adaptations
Intracellular accumulations: Steatosis
Cell damage
Biochemical mechanisms of cell damage
Ischemia and reperfusion injury
Necrosis
Apoptosis

ENVIRONMENTAL PATHOLOGY
Chemical agents and physical agents as cause of disease

THE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE
Acute inflammation:
Alterations of microcirculation and cellular events
Chemical mediators of acute inflammation

Chronic inflammation:
Interstitial inflammation
Granulomatous inflammation: tuberculosis, foreign body granuloma

The pneumoconiosis

The systemic response to damage

The reparative process

IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
General aspects of the innate and acquired immune response
Cells and organs of the immune system
Antigen recognition
Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses
Hypersensitivity reactions
Autoimmunity

NEOPLASTIC DISEASES
Control of cell growth and non-neoplastic disturbances of cell proliferation
Neoplastic growth: characteristics of benign and malignant neoplasms
Nomenclature and classification criteria for tumors
Mechanisms of local invasion and metastasis
The molecular basis of tumors: oncogenes and tumor suppressors
Carcinogens and their cellular interactions: chemical, physical and microorganism carcinogenesis
Epidemiological aspects of tumors
Occupational cancer risk
Effects of cancer on the host

General microbiology:
· Main differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, viruses and prions.
· Transmission of microorganisms and viruses.Importance of vehicles and vectors. Main characteristics of pathogenicity and virulence.
· Main host/infectious agent interactions: colonization, symbiosis, commensalism, infection and disease. Factors influencing the infectious process.
· Main sterilization procedures, antisepsis, disinfection. Selection criteria for disinfectants and their application.
· Structure and functions of the different components of the bacterial cell. Cell wall of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Gram and acid fast staining. Reproduction.Bacterial spore.
· Introduction to bacterial cell metabolism with reference to pathogenicity and identification criteria
· Mechanism of action of the main antibacterial drugs and microbial drug-resistance mechanisms.
· Criteria for the collection and transportation of biological samples for microbiological diagnosis in the laboratory
· Nosocomial infections: main sources of infection, risk factors, transmission pathways and most common pathogens

Special microbiology:
- Main bacteria of clinical interest: Staphylococcus , Streptococcus, Mycobacteria, Pathogenic Neisserae, Vibrio, Helicobacter Pylori, Enterobacteria
- Origin, organisation and mode of replication of animal viruses. General classification of DNA and RNA viruses . Main agents of viral infections (Picornaviridae, Togaviridae, Flavivirdae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Retroviridae, Coronaviridae, Papillomaviridae, Herpesviridae and major hepatitis viruses)
- Notes on the main protozoa of human interest (Plasmodium, Leishmania and Toxoplasma)
- Notes on the main fungal agents with particular reference to the genera Candida and Aspergillus

Course Syllabus:
- Approach to the patient with Cardiovascular Disease
- Approach to the patient with Disease of the Respiratory System
- Approach to the patient with Gastrointestinal Disease