Clinical Microbiology
Code: 101006 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Microbiology | OB | 3 |
Contact
- Name:
- Esther Julian Gomez
- Email:
- esther.julian@uab.cat
Teachers
- Irene Latorre Rueda
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
Although there is no official prerequisite, students are advised to review the concepts that refer to the microbial world, studied previously.
Objectives and Contextualisation
In this subject, students are expected to:
- Recognize the most important groups of pathogenic microorganisms for humans.
- Identify the bases of the microbiological diagnosis of a human infectious disease.
- Interpret the results of an antibiogram.
- Recognize the relationships that are established between a pathogen and the human body.
- List the major syndromes of human infectious pathology.
- Describe and correctly report information regarding clinical microbiology and infectious diseases in humans from specialized sources.
Learning Outcomes
- CM13 (Competence) Plan diagnostic and control strategies for infectious diseases from a global perspective and integrating clinical and epidemiological data to provide innovative responses to the challenges, needs and demands of society.
- CM14 (Competence) Integrate knowledge and skills in the field of microbiology applied to health, working individually and in groups, to prepare and present in writing or orally and publicly a scientific work either in English or in one's own language or others.
- KM19 (Knowledge) Identify the cellular and molecular relationships established between a microorganism or parasite and its host, including physiological and pathological mechanisms of defence and host response.
- KM20 (Knowledge) Describe the most important groups of infectious agents, their biological cycles, the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and toxicity and the epidemiology of the diseases they cause.
- KM21 (Knowledge) Indicate the main measures for the prevention and control of pathogenic microorganisms.
- SM19 (Skill) Use bibliography or internet tools, both in English and in one's own language or others, for the study of pathogenic microorganisms and their control.
- SM20 (Skill) Apply appropriate methods for the identification, diagnosis and control of microbial agents and their genetic or metabolic components in clinical samples or food.
- SM21 (Skill) Relate the characteristics of pathogens and their mechanisms of virulence and pathogenicity with the type of infection, the pathology and the immune response that develops and with the mechanisms of action of vaccines and antimicrobial agents.
Content
CONTENTS THEORETICAL CLASSES
Topic 1. General concepts.
Introduction. Areas of study of clinical microbiology. Groups of pathogenic microorganisms for humans. Host-parasitic relationships. Basic concepts about infectious diseases.
Topic 2. The laboratory of clinical microbiology.
Introduction. Objectives of the clinical microbiology laboratory. Diagnosis and sample pressure. Types of samples, collection and storage.
Topic 3. Urinary tract infections.
Introduction. Structure and function of the urinary tract. Factors that predispose the infection. Clinical manifestations. More frequent aetiological agents of uncomplicated cystitis: Escherichia coli and other gram-negative bacilli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and other gram-positive bacteria. Laboratory Diagnostics. General rules for the treatment of urinary tract infections.
Topic 4. Infections of the genital system.
Introduction. Sexually transmitted diseases. Structure and function of the genital system. Factors that predispose to the infection. Clinical manifestations. Etiologic agents. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis: urethritis and cervicitis. Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis: vulvovaginitis. Genital ulcers: Treponema pallidum and herpes simplex virus. Papillomavirus: genital warts and cancer. Laboratory Diagnostics. Treatment and prevention. Post-part endometritis: Streptocccus agalactiae.
Topic 5. Respiratory infections.
Introduction. Structure and function of the respiratory system. Factors that predisposeto the infection. Clinical manifestations. Rhinovirus: common cold. Streptococcus pyogenes: Pharyngotonsillitis. Corynebacterium diphteriae: diphtheria. Respiratory viruses and acute bronchitis. Bordetella pertussis. Pneumonia, etiologic agents. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila. Tuberculosis: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Laboratory diagnosis of respiratory infections. Treatment and prevention.
Topic 6. Oral and sinus infections.
The ear, structure and function. Factors that predispose to the infection. Clinical manifestations. Etiologic agents. External otitis: Pseudomonas, Aspergillus and Candida.Aagents of acute and chronic otitis media. Laboratory diagnostic. Treatment and prevention. Structure and function of the paranasal sinuses. Factors that predispose to the infection. Clinical manifestations. Most frequent etiological agents of sinusitis. Laboratory diagnostic. Treatment and prevention.
Topic 7. Eye infections.
The eye, structure and function. Clinical manifestations. Etiologic agents. Chlamydia trachomatis: the trachoma. Neisseria gonorrhoeae: purulent acute conjunctivitis. Viral infections.Infection of the ocular annexes. Laboratory diagnosis. Treatment and prevention.
Topic 8. Infections of the digestive tract.
Infection of the oral cavity. The mouth and teeth, structure and function. Factors that predispose to the infection. Clinical manifestations. Etiologic agents. Streptococcus mutans: dental caries. Porphyromonas gingivalis: periodontal disease. Structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract. Factors that predispose to the infection. Clinical manifestations Chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer: Helicobacter pylori. Intestinal infection Etiological agents of infectious gastroenteritis. Intestinal Helmintiasis. Toxicoinfection of food. Etiologic diagnosis. Treatment and prevention. Liver infection. Clinical manifestations. Etiologic agents. Laboratory diagnosis. Treatment and prevention.
Topic 9. Infections of the nervous system.
The nervous system, structure and function. Factors that predispose to the infection. Clinical manifestations. Etiologic agents of meningitis and encephalitis: Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes, enterovirus. Prions encephalopathies. Laboratory diagnosis. Treatment and prevention.
Topic 10. Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Introduction. Skin and subcutaneous tissue, structure and function. Factors that predispose to the infection. Clinical manifestations Etiologic agents that cause skin and subcutaneous infections. Laboratory diagnosis. Treatment and prevention.
Topic 11. Infections of the circulatory system
Bacteremia, fungemia, viremia and parasitemia. Primary bacteremia. Secondary bacteremia. Sepsis and septic shock. Hemoculture. Causal agents of bacteremia. Brucella, Francisella tulariensis and Yersinia pestis.
CONTENT SEMINARS
Preparation and presentation by students of subjets related to theory classes.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Seminars | 10 | 0.4 | CM13, CM14, KM19, KM20, KM21, SM19, SM20, SM21, CM13 |
| Theoretical classes | 35 | 1.4 | CM13, KM19, KM20, KM21, SM20, SM21, CM13 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Individual tutorials | 4 | 0.16 | CM13, KM19, KM20, KM21, SM20, SM21, CM13 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Preparation of seminars | 23 | 0.92 | CM13, CM14, KM19, KM20, KM21, SM19, SM20, SM21, CM13 |
| self-learning | 14 | 0.56 | CM13, CM14, KM19, SM19, SM21, CM13 |
| Study | 60 | 2.4 | CM13, CM14, KM19, KM20, KM21, SM19, SM20, SM21, CM13 |
Theoretical classes. The student must acquire the scientific-technical knowledge of this subject attending these classes and complementing them with the personal study of the topics explained. The teaching of each subject will be based on a theoretical exposition and in a brief discussion of the same.
Seminars. In the seminars, students will develop topical issues in the world of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases working in cooperative or collaborative groups. They will have access to specialized scientific sources from which they will carry out an oral presentation of the selected topics.
Tutorials. Students can take individual tutorials with the teacher of the subject, whenever they need it, requesting a prior appointment.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance at seminars and active participation | 10% | 0 | 0 | CM13, CM14, KM19, KM20, SM21 |
| Seminars, oral presentation | 20% | 0 | 0 | CM13, CM14, KM19, KM20, KM21, SM19, SM20, SM21 |
| Theoretical classes, written exam | 35% | 2 | 0.08 | CM13, KM19, KM20, KM21, SM20, SM21 |
| Theoretical classes, written exam | 35% | 2 | 0.08 | CM13, KM19, KM20, KM21, SM20, SM21 |
SCHEDULED ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
Theoretical classes. The evaluation of the theoretical content of the subject, corresponding to the knowledge acquired in the theoretical classes, will be carried out through two written exams (70% of the final grade). Each of these written exams must be passed with a grade equal to or higher than 5. To pass this part of the subject, both exams must be passed with a grade equal to or higher than 5.
Oral seminar presentation. The oral presentation (20% of the final grade) of a topic related to clinical microbiology and infectious diseases will be assessed. This activity is mandatory.
Attendance and active participation in seminars. Attendance at seminars and completion of exams related to all presentations will account for 10% of the final grade.
To pass the seminar component, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained.
For this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction, or translations. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a partial or total penalty in the activity’s grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.
To pass the subject, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained in the evaluation of theoretical content and a minimum grade of 5 in the seminar component. Students who do not achieve the minimum grade in the theoretical part may take a resit exam, which will have a maximum grade of 5. Students who do not achieve a minimum grade of 5 in the seminar component must take a resit exam consisting of an oral presentation of a scientific article and a written exam with questions related to all the seminars presented by their classmates, with a maximum grade of 5.
To be eligible for the resit, students must have been previously assessed in a set of activities that account for at least two-thirds of the total grade for the subject or module. Therefore, students will receive a grade of "Not Assessable" if the completed assessment activities account for less than 67% of the final grade.
Single Assessment
Students who opt for the single assessment must attend the seminar sessions in person and must pass them. Attendance is mandatory. The evaluation and weight of these seminars in the final grade will be the same as in continuous assessment.
The single assessment consists of a single exam covering the entire theoretical content of the subject. The grade obtained in this exam will represent 70% of the final grade for the subject. To pass this exam, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained. The single assessment exam will take place on the same date scheduled for the final continuous assessment exam, and the same resit system will apply.
Bibliography
Online / print books
- Prats, Guillem, et al. Microbiología y parasitología médicas / director: Guillem Prats ; coordinador general: Tomàs Pumarola ; coordinadora científico-técnica: Beatriz Mirelis. 2.a edición, Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2023.
- Murray, Patrick R., et al. Medical Microbiology / Patrick R. Murray, Ken S. Rosenthal, Michael A. Pfaller. Ninth edition, Elsevier, 2021.
- Bennet, John E. et al. Mandell, Douglas, Bennett. Enfermedades infecciosas. Principios y práctica John E. Bennet, Raphael Dollin, Martin J. Blaser; colaboradores. 9a ed. Barcelona: Elsevier España, 2021. Print.
Websites
Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. Documentos Científicos. http://www.seimc.org
European Center for Disease, Prevention and Control http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/Pages/home.aspx
European Food Safety Agency EFSA. http://www.efsa.europa.eu/
Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, USA. http://www.cdc.gov/
Organització Mundial de la Salut. http://www.who.int/en/
Instituto de Salud Carlos III Centro Nacional de Epidemiología. http://www.isciii.es/
Generalitat de Catalunya Salut. http://www.gencat.cat
Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona. http://www.aspb.cat/
Software
None
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (SEM) Seminars | 731 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 732 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 73 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |