Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On the completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of the principles of immunology and its role in immunopathology; outline techniques used in serology; show an understanding of how microbes cause disease with particular emphasis on bacterial and viral pathogenicity; discuss the epidemiology of infectious disease; show a competence in laboratory procedures for handling and processing microbiological specimens; list and discuss diseases associated with the various organ systems; show a basic understanding of chemotherapy; review aspects of biotechnology of medical microbiological significance.
Synopsis Non-specific host defence against infection. Fundamentals of immunology and immunological techniques; aspects of immunopathology. Microbiological laboratory safety. Epidemiology of infectious disease. Pathogenicity and determinants of disease. Laboratory diagnosis of infectious disease. Infectious diseases of the digestive tract, skin, respiratory tract, nervous system, blood, lymph, muscle and internal organs. Chemotherapy of infectious diseases. Veterinary microbiology. The laboratory program includes individual projects in diagnostic microbiology.
Assessment Tests: 60% + Laboratory work and Projects: 40% + Satisfactory performance in both written tests and laboratory work is required to pass the subject + Relevance of laboratory work to theoretical study: the laboratory work is closely related to the theoretical material. The diagnostic microbiology laboratory work is closely tied to, and run in cooperation with, local medical microbiology laboratories.