BMS315 Medical Microbiology (8)

This subject continues student's study of medical micriobology. Studies of viral, fungal and parasitic infectious diseases of major body systems are conducted with an emphasis on viral and parasitic diseases. The host-parasite relationship and antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic chemotherapy are also studied in detail as well as multisystem infections such as vector-borne, zoonoses and infections of the compromised host. Practical sessions involve tasks which emphasise development of specialised techniques and diagnosis of viral, fungal and parasitic infections. Distance students will attend a 4 day residential school to complete essential laboratory tasks.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Session 1 (30)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: BMS315. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences

Prerequisites

MCR101

Incompatible Subjects

BMS339

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to describe the causative organisms, pathogenesis, epidemiology and clinical signs of viral, fungal and parasitic diseases affecting major body systems;
  • be able to outline the range of antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic chemotherapeutic agents available and their mode of action;
  • be able to explain the problems associated with the compromised host and associated viral, fungal and parasitic infections.
  • be able to explain the importance of world-wide viral infections, vector-borne viral and parasitic infections and multi-system zoonoses;
  • be able to explain the nature of host-parasite relationships and be competent in the handling and identification of common parasites;
  • be able to perform basic virological techniques and have and explain the theoretical aspects of cell culture;
  • be able to identify medically important parasites and fungi with microscopy.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

Part 1: Preliminary Concepts
Host-parasite relationships
* characteristics and evolution of parasitism;
* adaptation to host responses;
* adaptation of parasite responses;
* adaptation of the host.
The Viruses
* structure
* replication
* classification
The Parasites
* structure
* replication
* classification
The Fungi
*structure
*replication
*classification
Antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic chemotherapy
* selective toxicity and design;
* agents
* resistance
* classes;
* laboratory aspects

Part 2: Systematic Infections
Upper respiratory tract infections
* common cold, pharyngitis, tonsillitis;
* laryngitis and tracheitis;
Lower respiratory tract infections
* acute infections;
* chronic infections;
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
* acute infections;
* chronic infections;
Gastrointestinal tract infections
* diarrhoeal disease;
* parasites and the GIT;
* systemic infections initiated in the GIT
* hepatitis.
Obstetric and perinatal infections
* acute infections;
* chronic infections;
Central nervous system infections
* invasion and response to invasion;
* protozoan meningitis;
* viral meningitis and encephalitis;
* possible viral infections;
* slow viruses;
* brain abscesses;
* mad cows and cannibals (prions);
* post vaccinial and post-infectious encephalitis;
* disease due to helminth parasites;
Infections of the eye, skin, muscle, joint, bone and haemopoietic system
* acute infections;
* chronic infections;

Part 3: A Global Perspective
World-wide virus infections
* measles, mumps, rubella;
* cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr
* human herpes virus 6 & 7 infections;
* smallpox eradication.
Vector-borne infections
* arboviruses;
* protozoan infections;
* helminth infections.
Multisystem zoonoses
* arenavirus;
* haemorrhagic fevers;
* helminth infections.
Infections in the compromised host
* the compromised host;
* the microbes;
* patients with deficiencies of innate immunity;
* secondary adaptive immunodeficiency;
* other important opportunistic pathogens.

Part 4 Practical Manual -

Laboratory based diagnostic techniques in virology, parasitology and mycology

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of BMS315 in Session 1 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Mid session exam
25
2
Parasitology practical test
15
3
Virology worksheet
15
4
End of session exam
45

Residential School

This subject contains a 4 day Compulsory Residential School.

The residential school will enable students to be come familiar with laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of viral, fungal and parasite diseases. The residential school will also include a practical exam 

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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