Clinical Microbiology

Recommended Prerequisites

General Microbiology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry

Portuguese, English        

Teaching Methods

The lectures are presented on the classical model, supported with summarized and illustrative presentations in Power- Point. Questions are formulated requiring that students use concepts previously acquired, thus correcting the limitations of dogmatic presentation. Theoretical subjects are essential for interpreting the results obtained in the laboratory classes, and are always taught before the laboratory class.

In laboratory classes, the teacher performs initially the procedure. Students work individually. The analysis of data is performed in group. 

Learning Outcomes

The objectives of the course are:

• To provide knowledge on clinical bacteriology and clinical parasitology

• To know the main groups of bacteria and parasites, as well as the diseases they cause, referring to the pathogenesis mechanisms and virulence factors

• To know the morphology and biochemical characteristics of the infectious agents an essential step to the laboratory identification.

• The student should  learn how to isolate and identify the main groups of bacteria often found in clinical samples

• The student should  learn how to perform the laboratory diagnosis of the main protozoa and helminths that parasitize humans

• The application of theoretical knowledge in laboratory classes

• To encourage active participation of students in lectures and laboratory classes

• To encourage critical thinking of students with the interpretation of laboratory data and problem solving        

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

THEORETICAL PROGRAM

 • Introduction to Bacteriology

Human microbiome in health and in disease

Bacteria-Host interaction: general pathogenesis mechanisms; virulence factors

• Aetiological agents: Enterobacteriaceae ; Bacilli of Gram negative non-fermenters ; Staphylococcus spp .; Streptococcus spp .; Enterococcus spp .. Habitat , morphology , physiology, virulence factors , infections, bacterial identification .

• Introduction to Parasitology

Protozoa (Phylum Apicomplexa and Sarcomastigophora ) and Helminths ( Phylum Plathyhelminthes and Nemathelmintes) : classification and general characteristics . Morphology, biology, epidemiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control.

 LABORATORY PROGRAM

• Microscopic observation , isolation and bacterial identification (groups referred in lectures)

Laboratory diagnosis of parasitosis: characterization and identification of cysts and trophozoites of protozoa ; characterization and identification of eggs, larvae and helminth

Head Lecturer(s)

Gabriela Conceição Duarte Jorge Silva

Assessment Methods

Final assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Microbiologia Médica, Ed Barroso, H, Meliço-Silvestre, A, Taveira, N, vol. 1 e 2, 1ª ed Lidel 2014

Nester, Anderson, Roberts, Nester “Microbiology: A Human perspective”, 5th ed.,2007, McGraw Hill

•Wanda Canas Ferreira e João Carlos Sousa “Microbiologia”, vol. II, , 1998, Lidel

•Murray, P. R., Rosenthal, K. S and M. A. Pfaller, “Medical Microbiology” 2005 5Th ed. Elsevier Mosby

•Rey  “Bases da Parasitologia Médica” 2002, 2ª ed., Editora Guanabara Koogan S.A.

•Markell & Voge “Parasitologia Médica” 2003, 8ª ed., Editora Guanabara Koogan S.A.

Kaijian Hou et al. Microbiota in health and diseases.Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy volume 7: 135 (2022)

Baohong Wang, Mingfei Yao, Longxian Lv, Zongxin Ling, Lanjuan Li. 2017. The Human Microbiota in Health and Disease. Engineering 3 (2017) 71–82

Rodney M. Donlan and J. William Costerton.2002. Biofilms: Survival Mechanisms of Clinically Relevant Microorganisms. CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS, p. 167–1930893-8512/02/$04.000 DOI: 10.1128/