Class Medical Microbiology

Identify application areas of medical microbiology and its relationship with biotechnology. Know the main groups of microorganisms that surround us, their implication in public health and relate them to epidemiology and diseases caused by microorganisms and their vectors. Be able to distinguish the main groups of antibiotics, how they work and the mechanisms that lead to resistance and multi-resistance. In the laboratory component, the objective is to learn laboratory techniques for identifying disease-generating microorganisms. Students should also be able to observe and identify the different groups of microorganisms of medical importance under the microscope: Handle microbial agents under the required hygiene and safety conditions and perform classic biochemical tests and state-of-the-art kits for their identification.

Not applicable

Theoretical program: 1-Importance and areas of application of medical microbiology and its relationship with biotechnology. 2-Basic notions of epidemiology and public health. 2- Disease-causing microorganisms in the Bacteria and Archaea Domain, Algae, Fungi, Protozoa, parasites and vectors. Viruses, prions, spread and associated diseases. 3-Study of the pathogenicity, resistance and multi-resistance mechanisms of microorganisms. 4-Defense mechanisms against infection: antibiotics, antimicrobials and vaccines. 5-Laboratory diagnostic techniques in clinical microbiology. Examples and case studies.Practical program: Microscopic observation of: medically important bacteria, fungi and parasites. Classical and advanced methodologies for detection and identification of microorganisms: Comparison and effectiveness between different biochemical methods for identification of microorganisms with clinical importance. Realization of the antibiogram methodology.

Within the scope of the curricular unit, videos and documents are made available on moodle to support the subject.  These documents and didactic material allow the visualization of programmatic contents and facilitate the learning of the basic concepts necessary to achieve the objectives stipulated for the chair.  Whenever possible, field trips are made to reinforce the syllabus and whenever possible the collection of samples to be used in the practical work of students in the laboratory.

- Diagnostic Microbiology (12th ed.), Bailey & Scottis, Mosby. - Brooks, G. F., Butel, J. S., & Morse, S. A. (2006). Medical microbiology. United States, 25th.