Microbiology

Shivayyogi Bhusnurmath, MD, FRCPATH, Chairman

Course Descriptions:
Immunology
Microbiology
Parasitology

Immunology PATH 580

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the major principles and mechanisms underlying the elements of the immune system. There is an emphasis on the interaction between innate and acquired immunity in the response to infection. Mechanisms by which immunological compartments interact and clinically related topics are also emphasized. In addition to classroom instruction, students spend 10 hours in solving patient-oriented clinical simulations, including small group discussions.  

Microbiology PATH 570

The microbiology and pathology courses are presented simultaneously and are closely integrated with each other. Microbiology appears as a balanced combination of formal classroom instruction, practical laboratory experience, and case-based exercises. The didactic portion is divided into two consecutive sections. The first of these covers the basic principles of microbiology, including classification and taxonomy, microbial physiology and genetics, genetic engineering, control of microorganisms through the use of physical and chemical agents, antibiotics, host-parasite relationships, and epidemiological concepts. Bacterial, fungal, and viral infectious organisms are all represented in this series.
In the second section, the pathogens are discussed according to the human organ system where they most often cause clinical disease. Clinical vignettes are used to illustrate the epidemiology, pathogenesis, virulence properties, symptoms, laboratory diagnosis, and therapy of the various agents. The presentation is coordinated with the concurrent pathology course, so that the organ systems are dealt with in a fully integrated fashion. After each organ system, representative cases are presented by a practicing clinician to anchor a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis and disease.

Laboratory

During the laboratory sessions, the students are given problem-solving experience with pathogenic microorganisms. The laboratory work includes the practical application of staining techniques, antisepsis and disinfection, and isolation and identification of infectious agents from clinical specimens, along with the determination of appropriate chemotherapeutic agents. Additionally, students are given a case history along with a relevant clinical specimen, and from these they isolate and identify the microorganism, perform antibiotic sensitivity tests, and report their results. Case-based instruction founded on medical vignettes of infectious disease is considered in small group discussions several times each term. Near the end of the laboratory portion of the course, clinical conferences are presented by visiting infectious disease specialists. Computer-assisted case presentations are used throughout the laboratory portion of the course.

A student who engages in an approved research program under the supervision of the staff can gain an elective in research microbiology and one or two academic credits per term. Registration requirements for this course are determined by the instructor. At the present time, research is being conducted in the area of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, microorganisms in the local environment, and epidemiological studies in bacteriology, virology, and parasitology. The average amount of work required per one credit hour is based on attitude, quality of work, reliability, technique, and adherence to laboratory protocol, effort, and results.

Parasitology PATH 660

Emphasis is balanced between parasitic infections that frequent the tropics and those that are being increasingly recognized in the temperate zones. Approximately half of the course deals with medical protozoology, including the amoebas, flagellates, ciliates, and sporozoa that are capable of infecting living human tissue. The second part of the course covers medical helminthology: the Nematoda, Platyhelminthes, and Acanthocephala. Arthropods of medical significance are also discussed. Presentations of the various organisms emphasize the epidemiology, symptomatology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment of each.

Laboratory

Lectures are supplemented by laboratory sessions that include stool examinations for ova and cysts of the parasites. Slide presentations are used extensively in the consideration of all of the parasites. 

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