Infection: etiology, pathogenesis
Code
11154
Academic unit
NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
Department
MC
Credits
7
Teacher in charge
Prof. Doutor Paulo Paixão
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
The new Unit: Infection: etiology, pathogenesis and therapeutics, of the Clinical Medicine Teaching and Research Area of the MSc in Medicine of this University, has the main objective to initiate students in the study of infectious diseases and their agents.
These programs, theoretical and practical, intend to give future doctors the tools that will enable them to understand the dynamics of the relationship between human host / parasite and guide them in their future clinical practice, and in a substantiated manner, the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. With this intent, the teaching contents result from the collaboration of the Departments of Microbiology and Pharmacology of the FCM.
During a first phase, basic knowledge of infectious disease agents will be provided, such as morphological, metabolic and genetic mechanisms of virulence and pathogenicity, clinical manifestations of the diseases caused by them and respective epidemiology.
During a second phase, there will be a particular attention towards the fundamentals of laboratory diagnosis of infections frequently (per nosological group), the most appropriate methodology, their practical implementation, interpretation and evaluation of results.
The curriculum will also include knowledge about different groups of antimicrobials, their spectrum of action, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, including adverse drug reactions and mechanisms of resistance.
Prerequisites
Subject matter
During a first phase, basic knowledge of infectious disease agents will be provided, such as morphological, metabolic and genetic mechanisms of virulence and pathogenicity, clinical manifestations of the diseases caused by them and respective epidemiology.
During a second phase, there will be a particular attention towards the fundamentals of laboratory diagnosis of infections frequently (per nosological group), the most appropriate methodology, their practical implementation, interpretation and evaluation of results.
The curriculum will also include knowledge about different groups of antimicrobials, their spectrum of action, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, including adverse drug reactions and mechanisms of resistance.
Bibliography
- Microbiologia Médica. Helena Barroso, António Meliço Silvestre, Nuno Taveira. 2014, Lidel.
- Medical Microbiology, Patrick Murray, Ken Rosenthal, Michael Pfaller. 7th edition, 2013, Elsevier Ltd.
-MimsMedical Microbiology, Richard V. Goering, et al. 5th edition, 2013, Elsevier Ltd.
Teaching method
The lectures, lasting 50 minutes, are taught by teachers of the academic unit, depending on their respective specializations.
The form of lecture is expository, in which they address issues considered fundamental, providing clues to guide students for their own individual and more detailed study. At the end, there will be a short period to answer questions from the students.
The theoretical/practical classes, will last for 2 hours, and will be directed to a smaller group of students (approximately 60 students). Over the year, 6 subjects will be taught. Within these issues, some nosological groups will be discussed, through the presentation of clinical cases, as happens in everyday practice, when facing a patient with suspected infection.
The practical classes, lasting two hours per week, are organized into groups of about 8-9 students and guided by a teacher. In all of these classes, there is a theoretical introduction to the subject of the class, using audio-visual support, followed by the execution and / or observation of demonstration of laboratory techniques.
During the first few weeks, students are introduced in the general course of the microbiological diagnosis and the requirements thereof. Following, there will be lessons that address the study of some particular microorganisms and laboratory diagnosis of some of the most common infections. Whenever possible, practical work will simulate real clinical cases, and data shall be provided to guide and train the sequential diagnostic reasoning of students, the interpretation and validation of results and possible causes of error.
Evaluation method
1. Evaluation of Practical Classes - 40%
- Mandatory: Frequency of practical classes (two thirds of total attendance).
- Average of two tests with 20 questions each (multiple choice, with only one right answer), delivered at the beginning of a practical class on days marked in the program 20%.
- Continuous evaluation 20%.
Notes:
a) Students with special statutes are not exempt from the practical classes. These students should endeavor to attend classes. However, if these students do not have sufficient practical information (which includes a minimum number of attendances), they will always have to take an extraordinary practical exam to assess their practical knowledge to be able to have access to the final written exam. This examination will take place immediately following the end of the practical program (30 questions, multiple choice, lasting 30 minutes) on a date to be posted by the Unit.
b) Students who grade less than 9.5 in their average annual practical assessment will also have to take this practical reevaluation test.
c) The practical evaluation grade obtained within the FCM Microbiology Unit, in the 2012/13 and 2014/15 academic years, will be valid for the current school year.
2. Written Exam - 60%
- 50 questions test, multiple choice, with only one right answer, lasting 75 minutes, the student will be excluded if the grade is less than 9.5.
3. Consultation of the written test
For students who may be interested, the consultation will take place on the week day following the written exam, between 15h30m and 17h00m, in the presence of a teacher. The goal will be to check any error in the application of the classification grid or in the counting of the number of right answers. This consultation is not intended to provide explanations on the subject or on the content of the questions.
4. Oral Exam - The oral exams will begin on the 2nd weekday after the written exam. This exam is optional (unless in specific situations decided by the Head Professor) and the final classification in these cases will be: Evaluation of Practical Classes - 40% + Oral exam 60%. (note: this is not an exam for grade improvement)
5. Special Season Exam
This exam is exclusively a written test in the same format as that of during the normal exam season. The student will pass if the rating is equal to or greater than 9.5.
6. Exam for grade improvement
Of all students that request it at the academic department. It will be performed as described in points 2 and 4.
7. Exames calendar
To be approved annually by the Pedagogic Council.
8. Extraordinary Practical Assessment Exam
For students that have not obtained a grade sufficient for approval within the practical classes, this year or in the Microbiology Unit of the two years before, there will be an exam of practical assessment which will be a written test, similar to the tests given within the practical classes, with 30 multiple choice questions and lasting 30 minutes. Those interested should sign up at the unit Secretariat until 13h00 on the day prior to the exam.