The specialist in Microbiology and Virology must have gained theoretical, scientific and professional knowledge in the field of bacteriology, virology, mycology and medical parasitology; must have acquired specific skills on the morphology, physiology, taxonomic position and genetics of microorganisms, as well as on the cellular and molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity, on microorganism-host interactions, on the mechanism of action of the main classes of antimicrobial drugs and on the biotechnological applications of microorganisms; must have achieved the professional capacity to evaluate the diagnostic and clinical aspects of bacteriological, virological, mycological and parasitological analyses applied to human pathology.
For the Postgraduate School of Microbiology and Virology (divided into four years of the course), the educational objectives are:
Basic learning objectives: acquisition of in-depth knowledge of the biochemical and molecular basis of the biological functions of microorganisms and of the tools for the evaluation of these functions;
Educational objectives of the School typology: acquisition of in-depth knowledge on the morphology, physiology, taxonomic position and genetics of microorganisms and on the cellular and molecular bases of the interactions they establish with each other or with host cells, representing these interactions as simple models for the study and understanding of fundamental biological processes.
The acquisition of the essential methodologies for the evaluation of the distribution of microorganisms in nature and the role they support in the environment, also in the light of their use in environmental mutagenesis studies; learning the mechanisms underlying the use of microorganisms as biotechnological tools; the acquisition of in-depth knowledge on the cellular and molecular basis of microbial pathogenicity, on microorganism-host interactions and on the innate and acquired resistance of the host to infections; the learning, aimed at assistance, of all methodologies, cultural and molecular, and instrumental procedures, including automated ones, for the diagnosis of infections by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites pathogenic to humans and animals, methodologies and procedures based on the direct determination of the presence of the infectious agent or its constituents (antigens and nucleic acids) and the learning of skills for the indirect diagnosis of infections through analysis of the host's immune response to the infectious agent; the acquisition of skills in the use of diagnostic methodologies in environmental and food microbiology; learning the principles of diagnostics of infections caused by genetically modified agents or used for biological warfare purposes; the acquisition of advanced knowledge on the mechanism of action of the main classes of antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic drugs and on the molecular and cellular basis of resistance to them by infectious agents; the understanding of the criteria for the surveillance of chemo-antibiotic resistance, in particular in the hospital environment; the learning of the main blood chemistry parameters of humans in physiological conditions and their modifications during infection and chemo-antibiotic treatment, aimed at optimizing therapeutic regimens; the acquisition of the ability to identify the most suitable diagnostic criteria and to adopt the most effective strategies for a rational use of available resources; the acquisition of skills regarding the organization and legislation relating to the management of the Microbiology and Virology Laboratory, with particular reference to the management of the "quality system", safety in the laboratory and the disposal of toxic or contagious waste.
Integrated training objectives (i.e. common core): Acquisition of knowledge in the field of the disciplines that contribute to the definition of the Class of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, and of those useful for the characterization of the training course common to the different types of School with particular regard to molecular pathology, pathophysiology and general pathology, immunology and immunopathology. In addition, the common trunk activity will be partly dedicated to clinical integrations with the Medical Area and the Surgical Area
The following are compulsory professionalizing activities for the achievement of the educational purposes of the type:
- Participation in refresher courses, seminars, demonstrations, conferences and congresses with topics directly relevant to or in any case to complete the training course in Microbiology and Virology, accredited by the Ministry of Health for Continuing Medical Education;
- Collection of at least 160 biological samples of microbiological interest;
- Participation in the diagnostic process under bacteriological, virological, mycological, or parasitological aspects of at least 240 clinical cases;
- Execution of at least 4,000 bacteriological examinations (microscopic, cultured, serological and/or molecular), up to diagnostic formulation in at least 30% of cases;
- Execution of at least 640 virological examinations (microscopic, cultured, serological and/or molecular), up to the diagnostic formulation in at least 30% of cases;
- Execution of at least 400 mycological tests (microscopic, cultured, serological and/or molecular), up to the diagnostic formulation in at least 30% of cases;
- Execution of at least 240 parasitological examinations (microscopic, culture, serological and/or molecular), up to diagnostic formulation in at least 30% of cases;
- Execution of at least 40 tests (including bacteriological, virological, mycological and parasitological) in urgency.
Related or supplementary objectives are: acquisition of skills for the use and development of the instrumentation of the Microbiology and Virology Laboratory; the achievement of theoretical and practical knowledge to validate new diagnostic tests and to synthesize molecules that can be used for the recognition of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites or their constituents; the acquisition of adequate preparation to ensure environmental microbiological monitoring, with particular reference to operating theatres, intensive care units, inpatient units for transplanted, oncological or, in any case, immunosuppressed patients.
The acquisition of knowledge aimed at the differential diagnosis, from a laboratory point of view, of infectious diseases (bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic) and the achievement of the professional ability to participate in the planning, experimentation and interpretation of the results of clinical trials.
The student will be able to compete for the diploma after completing the professionalizing activities.
As part of the training course, the student will have to learn the scientific bases of the type of School in order to achieve full maturity and professional competence that includes an adequate ability to interpret scientific innovations and critical knowledge that allows him to consciously manage both assistance and his own updating; In this context, participation in meetings, congresses and the production of scientific publications and periods of attendance in qualified Italian and foreign institutions useful for his/her training may be envisaged.