Virology

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The Virology curriculum unit teaching will be based on non mandatory theoretical classes and mandatory laboratory classes.

The lectures are based on the classical model of imparting knowledge, supported with illustrative presentations of the subjects covered, using available audiovisual equipment. Some practical classes will be demonstrative classes conducted in laboratorial context, with realization of several techniques used in diagnosis of viral infections.

Learning Outcomes

The unit of Virology aims to provide students with knowledge about:

- The general characteristics of the main viruses responsible for human infections;

- The principal clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and treatment used in human viral infections.

By this manner, it is expected that at the final of this curricular unit, the knowledge gained will enable students to:

- Identify and characterize the principal human viruses;

- Understand the pathogenesis and clinical features of viral infections;

- Identify the advisable laboratorial methods for the diagnostic of different human viral infections, as well as interpret the obtained results.

The acquisition of this knowledge will be fundamental to the future performance of pharmacist as a health professional.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Viral structure

Taxonomy of viruses

Viral replication

Pathogenesis of viral infections

Antiviral therapy

Herpesviridae family: HSV, VZV, HCMV, EBV, HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8

Retroviridae family: HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-I and HTLV-II

Papillomaviridae family: human papillomaviruses

Viral hepatitis: the hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis D virus, hepatitis C virus, and

viruses G and TT

Family Parvoviridae: B19

Viruses associated with respiratory tract infections: influenza virus (A, B, C), rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and

respiratory adenoviruses

Viruses associated with acute gastroenteritis: rotaviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses, and “enteric” adenoviruses

Laboratory diagnosis of viral infections

Detection of the viral particle

Detection of viral components: viral antigens and viral genome

Detection of viral antibodies

Diagnosis of infections by human herpesvirus, human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis viruses.

Head Lecturer(s)

Paula Cristina Santos Luxo Maia

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Microbiologia Médica volume 2

Helena Barroso, António Meliço-Silvestre, Nuno Taveira (2014) Lidel.

Medical Microbiology

Murray P.R., Rosenthal, K.S., Kobayashi, G.S., Pfaller, M.A. (2013) Ed. Michael Brown, Mosby Inc

Human Virology

Collier, L. and Oxford J. (Ed.) (2011) Oxford University press

Basic Virology

Wagner E. K. and Hewlett, M. J. (Ed.) (2004) Blackwell Publishing

Clinical Virology

Richman D. D., Whitley R. J. and Mayden F. G. (Ed.) (2002) ASM press, Washington, D.C.

Essentials of Diagnostic Virology

Storch G. A. (Ed.) (2000) Churchil Livingstone, New York.