Medical Microbiology and Immunology (BUMK_066)
About Study Course
Objective
Provide knowledge about the structure and properties, metabolism, pathogenicity factors of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, their role in the origin of infectious diseases. Provide information about the microbiome and its role in pathology. Provide knowledge about cultivation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, isolation of pure culture and methods of identification. Provide information about groups of antibiotics, their mechanisms of antibacterial activity, mechanisms of antibacterial resistance, tests used for evaluation of antibacterial susceptibility. Introduce students with methods of disinfection and sterilisation and their role in prevention of hospital acquired infections. Impart knowledge about the innate immunity, its mechanisms. Provide knowledge about the adaptive immune system, cells of the immune system, cytokines, cell activation, types and mechanisms of immune response. The role of humoral and cellular immune response in bacterial and viral infections, classes of immunoglobulins and their role in immune response. Provide knowledge about immune pathology, hypersensitivity reactions and their mechanisms. Impart knowledge about immunisation, vaccines, their mechanisms of action. Impart knowledge about serodiagnostic reactions, immune sera, molecular diagnostic methods, mechanisms.
Prerequisites
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Anatomy, Histology, Genetics, Biochemistry and Human Physiology.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the study course, students will be able to describe the characteristic features of bacteria, viruses and fungi, their morphology, pathogenicity factors and their role in the origin of infectious diseases and interaction with the host, the role of the microbiota of the human body and microbiota of the environment. Students will acquire knowledge of groups of antibiotics, their mechanisms of action and mechanisms of antibacterial resistance. Students will acquire information about the protective mechanisms of the human body, the types of the immune response and their role, immunisation and immunisation mechanisms, immune pathology and hypersensitivity reactions.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
• collect, transport and bacteriologically examine patients' specimens;
• isolate pure culture and identify causative agents, evaluate their susceptibility to antibiotics;
• use bacteriological, serological and molecular diagnostic methods.
Upon combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills, students will be able to understand the significance of viruses, bacteria and fungi as causative agents of diseases and to relate them to the mechanisms of pathogenicity and interaction with the host, as well as immune response mechanisms and their role in case of infectious diseases.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine, MF | 4 | Master’s | Required | Viktorija Truškova, Katrīna Tomiņa, Lauris Avotiņš, Dārta Jakovicka, Juta Kroiča, Veronika Baltmane-Veckalne, Reinis Rugājs, Dace Rezevska, Ivita Šēla, Ingus Skadiņš, Kārlis Rācenis, Anastasija Dovbenko, Renāte Rūta Apse, Ieva Glāzere, Sandis Mauriņš | |
| Medicine, SSNMF | 4 | Master’s | Required | Olena Hopta, Lise Berentsen, Juta Kroiča, Ingus Skadiņš, Viktorija Truškova, Dace Rezevska, Kārlis Rācenis, Veronika Baltmane-Veckalne, Reinis Rugājs, Renāte Rūta Apse |
