Medical Microbiology

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Abstract

This subject continues student's study of medical micriobology. Studies of viral, fungal and parasitic infectious diseases of major body systems are conducted with an emphasis on viral and parasitic diseases. The host-parasite relationship and antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic chemotherapy are also studied in detail as well as multisystem infections such as vector-borne, zoonoses and infections of the compromised host. Practical sessions involve tasks which emphasise development of specialised techniques and diagnosis of viral, fungal and parasitic infections. Distance students will attend a 4 day intensive to complete essential laboratory tasks.

Syllabus

Part 1: Preliminary Concepts Host-parasite relationships* characteristics and evolution of parasitism;* adaptation to host responses;* adaptation of parasite responses;* adaptation of the host. The Viruses* structure* replication* classification The Parasites* structure* replication* classificationThe Fungi*structure*replication*classificationAntiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic chemotherapy* selective toxicity and design;* agents* resistance* classes;* laboratory aspectsPart 2: Systematic Infections … For more content click the Read More button below. Sexually Transmitted Diseases* acute infections;* chronic infections; Gastrointestinal tract infections* diarrhoeal disease;* parasites and the GIT;* systemic infections initiated in the GIT* hepatitis. Obstetric and perinatal infections* acute infections;* chronic infections; Central nervous system infections* invasion and response to invasion;* protozoan meningitis;* viral meningitis and encephalitis;* possible viral infections;* slow viruses;* brain abscesses;* mad cows and cannibals (prions);* post vaccinial and post-infectious encephalitis;* disease due to helminth parasites;Infections of the eye, skin, muscle, joint, bone and haemopoietic system* acute infections;* chronic infections;Part 3: A Global Perspective World-wide virus infections* measles, mumps, rubella;* cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr* human herpes virus 6 & 7 infections;* smallpox eradication. Vector-borne infections* arboviruses;* protozoan infections;* helminth infections. Multisystem zoonoses* arenavirus;* haemorrhagic fevers;* helminth infections. Infections in the compromised host* the compromised host;* the microbes;* patients with deficiencies of innate immunity;* secondary adaptive immunodeficiency;* other important opportunistic pathogens.Part 4 Practical Manual - Laboratory based diagnostic techniques in virology, parasitology and mycology

Part 1: Preliminary Concepts

Host-parasite relationships
* characteristics and evolution of parasitism;
* adaptation to host responses;
* adaptation of parasite responses;
* adaptation of the host.

The Viruses
* structure
* replication
* classification

The Parasites
* structure
* replication
* classification
The Fungi
*structure
*replication
*classification
Antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic chemotherapy
* selective toxicity and design;
* agents
* resistance
* classes;
* laboratory aspects

Part 2: Systematic Infections

Upper respiratory tract infections
* common cold, pharyngitis, tonsillitis;
* laryngitis and tracheitis;
Lower respiratory tract infections
* acute infections;
* chronic infections;

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
* acute infections;
* chronic infections;

Gastrointestinal tract infections
* diarrhoeal disease;
* parasites and the GIT;
* systemic infections initiated in the GIT
* hepatitis.

Obstetric and perinatal infections
* acute infections;
* chronic infections;

Central nervous system infections
* invasion and response to invasion;
* protozoan meningitis;
* viral meningitis and encephalitis;
* possible viral infections;
* slow viruses;
* brain abscesses;
* mad cows and cannibals (prions);
* post vaccinial and post-infectious encephalitis;
* disease due to helminth parasites;
Infections of the eye, skin, muscle, joint, bone and haemopoietic system
* acute infections;
* chronic infections;

Part 3: A Global Perspective

World-wide virus infections
* measles, mumps, rubella;
* cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr
* human herpes virus 6 & 7 infections;
* smallpox eradication.

Vector-borne infections
* arboviruses;
* protozoan infections;
* helminth infections.

Multisystem zoonoses
* arenavirus;
* haemorrhagic fevers;
* helminth infections.

Infections in the compromised host
* the compromised host;
* the microbes;
* patients with deficiencies of innate immunity;
* secondary adaptive immunodeficiency;
* other important opportunistic pathogens.

Part 4 Practical Manual -

Laboratory based diagnostic techniques in virology, parasitology and mycology

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to describe the causative organisms, pathogenesis, epidemiology and clinical signs of viral, fungal and parasitic diseases affecting major body systems;

be able to outline the range of antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic chemotherapeutic agents available and their mode of action;

be able to explain the problems associated with the compromised host and associated viral, fungal and parasitic infections.

be able to explain the importance of world-wide viral infections, vector-borne viral and parasitic infections and multi-system zoonoses;

be able to explain the nature of host-parasite relationships and be competent in the handling and identification of common parasites;

be able to perform basic virological techniques and have and explain the theoretical aspects of cell culture;

be able to identify medically important parasites and fungi with microscopy.

Enrolment restrictions

Pre-requisite

Incompatible

Learning activities

Residential School