Clinical Virology

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge in biology, molecular biology, microbiology and immunology is recommended to successfully achieve the objectives proposed in this course.

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 Clinical 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 the health professional.  

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

THEORETICAL EDUCATION

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

THEORETICAL-PRACTICAL

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)

Ana Miguel Duarte Matos Silva

Assessment Methods

Final 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.