https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AB_471024Learning objectives: 1. To be able to remember and understand: (a) the bacterial cell structures and bacterial genetics, (b) general mechanisms of infection by bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi, (c) composition and function of the immune system, (d) functioning of the different classes of antibiotics and general mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and (e) the best-known pathogens with the associated diseases. 2. The ability to remember and understand: (a) the overall infection strategies and their associated pros and cons for the pathogen, (b) the built-up of the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial cell envelope, (c) the most common virulence factors with their roles in infections, and (d) the biology of viruses, fungi and parasites and the mechanism of infection of a number of these pathogens. 3. To be able to remember, understand and apply: a) the molecular mechanisms of bacterial invasion, b) the role of bacterial genetics in infections, c) the main mechanisms of antigenic variation and the impact on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and d) the action of toxins and the various causes of tissue damage during infections. 4. The ability to remember, understand and apply: a) the diagnosis of infectious diseases, b) the clinical aspects of the use of antibiotics and the problem of antibiotic resistance, and c) the characteristics and functioning of vaccines and the implementation of vaccination programs. 5. The ability to perform basic medical microbiological techniques independently and to remember, understand and apply these techniques to the molecular level in a critical manner.The aim of this course is to provide the student insight into the mechanisms of microbial and parasitic infections. The student is introduced to the strategies that bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi use to colonize and infect the host. The topics covered are toxins, adhesion, invasion, intracellular survival, interactions with the immune system and regulation and transfer of virulence factors. In addition, attention is given to vaccines and antibiotics, such as the development, working mechanisms and application of these therapeutics. Finally, the student will perform a number of microbiological experiments in a practical to study the pathogenic properties of microorganisms. The course consists of 6 parts: bacteriology, parasitology, virology, mycology, vaccinology and antibiotics. A discussion of all these topics is necessary to gain a solid understanding of infectious diseases and how they can be prevented and controlled. Attention will also be paid to the correlation between these topics. The following learning pathway is incorporated into this course: Academic skillsLectures (24 hours); practical, compulsory (40 hours); self-study (104 hours). N.B. A large part of the study material in the textbook is not discussed in the lectures and must therefore be learned entirely by means of self-study. Teachers: dr. E.N.G. Houben, dr. M.P. Bergman, dr. J.P. van Ulsen, prof. W. Bitter, dr. M.R. van Dijk, dr. B.P. Krom.Written exam (combination of multiple choice and essay questions).Admission to the exam is only possible if the practical part has beencompleted successfully.Book: Strelkauskas' Microbiology A clinical approach, 3rd edition; Lostroh and Fahnert. CRC Press. ISBN: 978-1-032-04347-0. Practical manual.Elective course for third year BSc Biomedical Sciences students and second or third year BSc Health and Life students with the biomedical or clinical specialization. The course is recommended for students who want to take the Infectious Diseases specialization in the 2-year MSc Biomedical Sciences.There is a maximum of 76 students for this course; this is the maximal number of students that can participate in the practical. BSc students Biomedical Sciences and Health & Life are given priority. This can mean that registered students from other programs are rejected. Admission to the course is based on the order of registration via VUnet. Students of BSc Health Sciences should register for the BSc course Infectieziekten: gastheer-pathogeen interacties (AB_1174). IMPORTANT: Returning students (students that have completed the practical in previous years but still need to pass the written exam) are urged to register exclusively for the exam and not for the lectures and practical. They can get access to the Canvas site by sending an email to the course coordinator (
[email protected]). In addition, students who initially enrolled, but at some point decide not to take the course anymore, are urged to unsubscribe again.Presence required for all practical days. A lab coat is also compulsoryand is already needed on the first day of the practical.Students BSc Biomedical Sciences (BMS) need to have passed the first year course Microbiology (AB_1276) and Immunology (AB_1144). Students BSc G&L need to have passed the courses Microbiology (AB_1146) and Cell biology and immunology (AB_1132). The subject matter of these courses will come back during the course and is assumed to be known at the time of the examination.All communication about the course will be through Canvas.