Medical Importance of Zoonotic Spirochetes: Borrelia and Leptospira
Code
5573016
Academic unit
Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Maria Luísa Vieira
Weekly hours
T: 7h30’ TP: 2h PL: 17h30’ TC: 5h S: 3h OT: 4h O: 1h
Teaching language
Portuguese (considering that this Curricular Unit is integrated in the curriculum of the 2nd cycle of MMM)
Objectives
With this Course (UC) seeks to contribute to a theoretical and practical training in the context of biology, transmission routes and eco-epidemiology of two important spirochetes of medical importance and to provide students the main tools for the laboratory diagnosis of diseases associated to these spirochetes. It is intended that the students are able to: - Understand the (re)emerging epidemiological importance of the two spirochetoses (Leptospirosis and Lyme borreliosis) both increasing public health importance, with a particular focus given to the situation in Portugal, Azores, regarding leptospirosis and around the country for Lyme disease; - Know and apply the current laboratory approaches (immunological and molecular) to improve the laboratory diagnosis, contributing to a more timely and efficient therapeutic; - Interpret the results obtained, comparing the biology and pathogenesis of the agents involved (Leptospira and Borrelia) and their respective impacts on the populations health (human and other animal species).
Prerequisites
Conclusao do 1.º ciclo em qualquer curso da área das Ciências da Vida ou da Saúde.é obrigatória a frequência de 2/3 das aulas. Os alunos com pelo menos 2/3 de frequência, serão admitidos a exame final.
Subject matter
Theoretical component: - Leptospires and leptospirosis - update of the theme; - The role of rodents (main reservoirs) in the transmission of agents of leptospirosis; - Arthropods as vectors of Borrelia spp; - Borrelia and Lyme borreliosis - update of the theme ; - Leptospirosis and Lyme disease - clinical perspective. Practical component (laboratory): - Leptospira and Leptospirosis spp: Diagnosis-MACRO - screening technique; MAT – WHO reference technique - Observation of leptospires under dark-field microscopy; - DNA extraction from Leptospira spp - molecular tests; - Genomics identification - diagnosis; - Research / Leptospirosis - Projects (practical applications); - Morphological observation of ticks; - Borrelia spp and Lyme borreliosis: Observation of borrelia under dark-field microscopy; - Diagnosis - IFA - screening technique; WB – reference technique; - Molecular tests - diagnosis; - Borrelia spp / identification genomics; Roundtable: - Discussion of laboratory results - Seminar - presentation and discussion of a scientific paper on the topics of the course
Bibliography
2011 - Emergence, control and re-emerging leptospirosis: dynamics of infection in the changing world. Clin Microbiol Infect, 17(4): 494-501. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21414083 doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03474.x. 2014 - Leptospirosis diagnosis: competancy of various laboratory tests. J Clin Diagn Res. 8(1):199-202. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24596774 doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/6593.3950. 2014 - Rapid tests for diagnosis of leptospirosis: current tools and emerging technologies. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 78(1):1-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24207075 doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2013.09.012. 2014 - DNA persistence after treatment of Lyme borreliosis. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 59(2):115-25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23929025 doi: 10.1007/s12223-013-0272-4 2014 - Utility of serodiagnostics designed for use in the United States for detection of Lyme borreliosis acquired in Europe and vice versa. Med Microbiol Immunol, 203(1):65-71. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24218117 doi: 10.1007/s00430-013-0315-0
Teaching method
- Lectures, theoretical and practical, and tutorials; - Round table with the participation of all students to discuss results and a seminar, moderated by teachers involved in the Course.
Evaluation method
Students with at least 2/3 frequency, are subject to continuous evaluation (attendance and active participation in class and discussion performance of laboratory work - round table and seminar participation - 40%; - Final written exam (multiple-choice test) - 60%; Rating scale of 0 to 20. Approval is given with a rating, greater or equal to 10.