Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Course director: Dr. Catherine Saelinger
Medical Microbiology is a two-quarter course that provides an introduction to Immunology, Bacteriology, Basic Virology and bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The course consists of lectures, case discussions and laboratory.
The immunology section will introduce the student to immunologic concepts and their relationship to medicine. The cellular and molecular basis of the immune system and its function in host-parasite interactions are covered. In addition the role of the immune system in allergies, autoimmunity, transplantation, and immunodeficiencies is introduced.
The last two sections focus on clinically important groups of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. We discuss the biology of the different microorganisms and the diseases they cause, the virulence attributes of the microbes, and the methods the host has devised to combat infection. Our charge is to present basic concepts of medical microbiology-to provide a strong foundation for future learning. Therefore, we have elected to teach microbiology from the viewpoint of the microbe. For example, an appreciation of virulence traits associated with an organism will help the physician understand how it causes disease, its means of transmission, the type of immunity needed to fight the infection, and the type of vaccine needed to engender protection.
Laboratory is an integral part of the course and focuses on correlating laboratory activities with case presentations. Case discussions are used to bridge the gulf between the basic sciences and clinical medicine. Upon completion of the course, it is expected that the student will be able to read a case history, determine a differential diagnosis of the disease presented, and link the relevant microbe and its specific characteristics to the mechanism of disease. The Microbiology course is closely integrated with Pathology, CFMP II and Pharmacology and it is anticipated that these courses will be approached as a unit.
This course is designed primarily for Year II medical students; however graduate students are welcome. Course numbers: 26-MD-271 Microbiology (Medical School) or 26-PSTP-801 (Graduate School).
Dorie Lane is the Administrative Coordinator for the course. Her office is in Room 2000 MSB. She can be reached by telephone at 558-5510 or by E-mail at dorie [dot] lane [at] uc [dot] edu
Goal and Objectives of Medical Microbiology & Immunology
The goal of this course is to provide second year medical students with the scientific basis for understanding basic principles of immunology and of infectious diseases as they currently impact on human medicine.
Listed below are the major course objectives:
- To appreciate the relationship between microbes, the immune system, and disease outcomes.
- To understand how the immune system functions in a specific and non-specific way, to defend the host against infections by bacteria, fungi and viruses.
- To recognize the structural components of microbes (bacteria, fungi and viruses) and how these impact the pathogenesis of disease.
- To know the common microorganisms associated with specific clinical diseases and what factors are involved in pathogenesis.
- To appreciate the role of vaccines in disease prevention.
- To appreciate the role of the clinical laboratory in diagnosis and management of infectious diseases.
- To develop the ability to correlate the clinical picture with laboratory information to establish a diagnosis.
- To enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills and the ability to effectively communicate with and work with peers and teachers.