The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course is to provide the student with the basic knowledge for the following processes:
• bacterial and viral infectious diseases;
• growth and spread of microorganisms and preventions of diffusion;
• mechanisms of action(s) of drugs. Tools to predict and manage therapeutic and toxic effects of principal drugs;
• mechanisms of cellular and molecular damage;
• pathogenetic processes;
• mechanisms aimed at the maintenance and recovery of the healthy state.

Program

MICROBIOLOGY
• Microbiology introduction
• Bacteriology:
• bacterial cells and spore structure and functions.
• Bacterial replication
• Bacterial pathogenesis
• Virology:
• Virus structure and composition
• Viral replication
• Viral infections
• Way of infections transmission and preventions.

PHARMACOLOGY
Analysis of drug/receptor interaction and the generation of drug effect(s).
Terminology related to drug use, the methodologies of drug identification and clinical development.
Adverse reactions: classification and reporting
Analysis of the pharmacokinteic properties of drugs applied to patient treatment with detailed knowledge and understanding of : 1- drug absorption with emphasis on differences between routes of administration;2- drug distribution and elimination; 3- drug metabolism ; 4- quantitative approach to pharmacokinetics and the definition of a therapeutic regimen
Mechanims of action, classification, therapeutic effects and adverse reactions and clinical uses of antiinflammatory drugs
Mechanims of action of drugs active on the neuromuscular system

GENERAL PATHOLOGY
1. Introduction
General concepts
Homeostasis.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
Glossary

2. Cellular pathology
Pathogenesis of hypoxia, ischemia and oxidative stress.
Cellular death: apoptosis and necrosis
molecular markers of cell death

3. The innate immune response
Mononuclear phagocytes: features and functions
Acute inflammation: vascular changes and cellular events
Inflammatory exudate: characteristics and functions
Chemical Mediators and Regulators of Inflammation
Leucocyte recruitment
Leukocyte effector mechanisms ( phagocytosis, Killing and degradation of phagocytosed Microbes)
Systemic effects of inflammation
Outcomes of acute inflammation:
Chronic inflammation
Resolution: Regeneration and repair.
Scarring

4. Basic immunology
Innate and adaptive immunity: general concepts
Cells and tissues of the immune system
Overview of normal immune responses
Cellular and humoral immunity. Vaccines

5. Pathological changes of cellular differentiation and proliferation
Neoplasia (general concepts)
Morphological, molecular and functional features of the neoplastic cell
Nomenclature
Molecular bases of carcinogenesis: oncogenes and oncosuppressors

Bibliography

Examination Methods

written test