1999 Pharmacy Handbook - Pharmaceutical microbiology I

Pharmaceutical microbiology I

Introduction
General objectives
Syllabus
Practical
Textbooks
Assessment

Introduction

Dr Ian Griffith
39 lectures, 10 tutorials and 39 hours of practical work.
The aim of the subject is to provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the pharmaceutical aspects of microbiology, mycology and parasitology.

General objectives

In this teaching program students are expected to develop:

understanding of the structure and classification of microorganisms, fungi and parasites of medical importance, the techniques used to propagate and selectively culture them; their place in the biosphere, and their interaction with other life forms, especially humans and domestic animals; the basic principles of microbial genetics and gene transfer; the principles of epidemiology; the nature and role of anti-microbial agents;
abilities in the areas of handling and culturing microorganisms; conducting certain diagnostic tests; preventing contamination of pharmaceutical products;
an appreciation of the factors which influence and control contamination and infection caused by microorganisms and macroorganisms.

Syllabus

Introductory microbiology. Historical development: microorganisms as a cause of disease. Occurrence and role of microbes in the biosphere. Principles of classification. Comparison of subcellular structures of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell. Summary treatment of microbial nutrition and energy production, and catabolic and anabolic processes. Synthesis of murein. Cell division. Spore formation and germination. Growth and death of microbes. Structure and reproduction of fungi and parasites of medical importance; their relationships with other organisms, and the biosphere. Structure and replication of viruses, methods of propagation.
Elementary microbial genetics. Population dynamics. Variation and adaptation. Expression and detection of mutation. Control of gene expression. Bacterial viruses, extrachromosomal elements, lysogeny. Transfer of genetic information; conjugation, transformation, transduction.
Host-parasite relationships. Nature of pathogens, parasites, commensals. Symbiosis. Transmissible disease, virulence, pathogenicity, invasiveness, infectivity, toxins, pyrogens. Barriers to infection: skin and mucosa, body secretions, resident microbial flora. Innate immunity: role of inflammation, complement, reticuloendothelial system.
Systematic microbiology. Distinguishing features of the principal groups of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and parasites, with emphasis on differences in physiology, lifestyles, interaction with other life forms and potential for causing disease; principles of isolation and identification; potential as targets for anti-infective agents.
Immunology. Active and passive immunity. Structural components of the immune system: bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, peripheral lymphoid tissue. Acquired specific immunity: humoral and cellular. Cytokines. Vaccines. Immunological tests. Monoclonal antibodies.
Anti-infective agents. Selective toxicity, spectrum and classification of anti-infective agents. Modes of action of, and development of resistance to, anti-infectives. Summary treatment of the objectives of anti-infective therapy.
Epidemiology. Reservoirs of infection: means of transmission, carrier state, latent infections, alternate hosts, vectors. Epidemics and zoonoses. Methods of control. Quarantine: travel regulations. Public health issues; immunisation.

Practical

Ten 3-hour and nine 1-hour practical classes.
Practical classes are designed to provide 'hands on' experience of some basic microbiological techniques involved in isolating, culturing, examining and identifying microorganisms, an acquaintance with aspects of diagnostic microbiology and evaluation of anti-microbial agents, and an introduction to aseptic technique and the principles and practice of preservation, disinfection and sterilisation.

Textbooks

Recommended texts

Black J G Microbiology: Principles and applications 3rd edn, Prentice-Hall, 1996
Hugo W D and Russell A D Pharmaceutical microbiology 6th edn, Blackwell, 1998

Reference books

The Bantam medical dictionary rev. edn, Bantam, 1990
Benenson A S Control of communicable diseases manual 16th edn, American Public Health Association, 1995
Block S Disinfection, sterilization and preservation 4th edn, Lea and Febiger, 1991
Brooks G F and others Jawetz, Melnick and Adelberg's 'Medical microbiology' 20th edn, Appleton and Lange, 1995
Davis B D and others Microbiology 4th edn, Lippincott, 1990
Ketchum P A Microbiology: Concepts and applications Wiley, 1988
Madigan M T and others Brock: Biology of microorganisms 8th edn, Prentice-Hall, 1997
Maurer I M Hospital hygiene 3rd edn, Edward Arnold, 1985
Mims C A Pathogenesis of infectious disease 4th edn, Academic Press, 1995
Mims C A and others Medical microbiology 2nd edn, Mosby, 1998
Morello J A and others Microbiology in patient care 6th edn, McGraw-Hill, 1998
Murray P R and others Medical microbiology 3rd edn, Mosby, 1998
National Health and Medical Research Council The Australian immunisation procedures handbook 5th rev edn, AGPS, 1995
O'Grady F and others Antibiotic and chemotherapy 7th edn, Churchill Livingstone, 1997
Phillips J and others The biology of disease Blackwell, 1995
Roitt I M and others Immunology 5th edn, Mosby, 1998
Schaechter M and others Mechanisms of microbial disease 3rd edn, Williams and Wilkins, 1998
White D O and Fenner F J Medical virology 4th edn, Academic Press, 1994

Assessment

Subject assessment will reflect the learning objectives outlined above. Methods of assessment will include:

Practical work: 25%
End-of-year examination (3 hours): 75%