BI2BI45-Infectious Diseases

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites: BI1S1 Introductory Microbiology BI1BAC2 Bacteriology and Virology
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Geraldine Mulley
Email: g.mulley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Newly evolved viruses, antibiotic resistant bacteria, ineffective malaria drugs continue to cause problems in our fight to control infectious disease.Ìý In this module you will initially study viruses of global significance (including Ebola and Coronaviruses), their transmission, detection and how understanding their different replication strategies helps to develop therapies and prevention methods. This is followed by a tour of bacteria, fungi and protists of clinical significance in the UK, causing for example respiratory infection, meningitis, sepsis, sexually transmitted disease, food poisoning, skin infections and malaria. Influence of the human microbiome, how synthesis of unique microbial structures are targeted by antibiotics and the problem of resistance are addressed. Your knowledge of microbiology in the hospital and community will be enhanced through practicals where you ‘Identify the culprit’.Ìý

Aims:

To provide students with:

1. Knowledge and understanding of infectious microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists) their life cycles, transmission and the consequences of infection.


2. Understanding of the replication of Baltimore groups of viruses, and detailed knowledge of selected examples of global significance


3. Overview of bacteria and eukaryotic microbes of importance in the hospital and community, with detail of important examples


4. Knowledge and understanding of the principle of processes targeted by antibiotics, anti-viral, anti-fungal and antimalarial drugs currently available and the problems of resistance


5. A working knowledge of current bacterial and virological techniques applied to clinical samples including organism detection, quantitation, isolation and identification.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Examples of the type of outcome that students will be able to do include:

• provide examples of infectious bacteria, fungi, protists and viruses and associated diseases


• discuss aspects of epidemiology and practice in public health microbiology relating to these micro-organisms


• discuss current evidence for influence of the gut microbiome in health and disease


• describe the structure and replication of the main virus groups classified according to Baltimore classification


• discuss, with examples, how knowledge of viral replication has been applied to development of anti-viral drugs


• describe the mechanism of action of antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs and discuss the significance of targeting unique components of each.


• discuss problems of antimicrobial drug resistance and describe example mechanisms of resistance


• describe how to isolate, propagate and quantify human viruses


• suggest ways to reduce the threat of newly evolved microbes, such as the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that emerged in 2019 and E. coli O104:H4


• describe the principles and procedures for traditional and newer methods for detection, isolation, identification and subtyping bacteria and viruses


• demonstrate practical skills used in the isolation and identification of medically important bacteria


• demon strate application of EUCAST approved antibiotic resistance testing


• describe the work of hospital laboratories and other sites where medical microbiology is carried out

Additional outcomes:

Students will have extended practical skills in aseptic technique, as well as specific laboratory skills propagating viruses and bacterial identification. Collaborative study and interaction will be strengthened through group Virology practicals, while individual practical work on identifying the bacterial pathogen, will reinforce students’ confidence, initiative and time-keeping and provide practice in accurate record-keeping, experimental design and interpretation. Students will have knowledge of the work of hospital and PHE laboratories wi