MICROBIOLOGY
Medical microbiology is medical science which combines the knowledge on microorganisms
physiology and virulence with clinical signs of infections, their pathophysiology and antimicrobial
therapy. The aim of the course is also to show the students how microbiological investigations are
performed and how to interpret their results.
The medical microbiology course includes lectures and laboratory classes. In the beginning of
the course the basic information on microbial physiology, morphology, methods used in
microbiological examinations and antimicrobials will be presented. In the following part of the
course, the general microbiology would be discussed. In the summer semester some information on
the aetiology, epidemiology, diagnostics and proper antimicrobial treatment of systemic infections
will be delivered. After getting the credits for each semester, students are obligated to pass practical
and written exam.
TEACHERS:
Lectures: dr Aleksander Deptuła
Tutorials: dr Aleksander Deptuła, dr Joanna Kwiecińska-Piróg, dr Małgorzata Prażyńska Ph. D.,
Tomasz Bogiel, Ph.D.
CONTACT: dr Aleksander Deptuła a.deptula@cm.umk.pl
SYLABUS
I.
Name of the unit offering the course: Department of Microbiology
II.
Head of the unit/Course coordinator: prof. dr hab. Eugenia Gospodarek, dr Aleksander
Deptuła
III.
2nd year, number of hours: 75
IV.
Form of classes: lectures: 37, tutorials: 38
V.
Form of crediting: Exam,
VI.
Number of ECTS points: 6
VII.
Aim of the course:
Lectures
The aim is to present the information on:

classification of microorganisms,

bacterial and fungal cell structure and physiology,

pathogen and host interactions,

antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy of infections,

aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs and treatment of viral, bacterial and
fungal infections.
Tutorials:

introduction to microbial physiology, morphology, and their biological properties, as well as
host-pathogen interactions,

presentation of disinfection and sterilization methods and prevention of infectious diseases,

introduction to methods used in the microbiological investigation,

presentation of indications for microbiological investigations – due to diagnostical and
epidemiological needs,

presentation of rules for taking samples for microbiological investigations, proper way of
transporting of clinical samples,

familiarization with microbiological investigations and interpretation of its results, and
proper use of their results in the therapeutic process,

introduction to the principles of antimicrobial therapy.
VIII.
Topics of lectures / tutorials:
Lectures:

The history of microbiology.

The general microbial characteristics (Procaryota, Eucaryota, Virales).

The taxonomy. Classification and identification of microorganisms.

The microbial morphology. Anatomical structures – their structure, function and significance
in identification of microorganisms. Chemical composition of microorganism.

The microbial physiology. Growth condition, metabolism, reproduction, genetics and
genetical variability of microorganisms.

The microbial pathogenicity, infectivity and toxicity. The pathogenesis of infections.

The influence of physical factors and chemical substancies on microbial biological properties.
Disinfection and sterilization. The overview of disinfectants and antiseptics and their
mechanisms of action. The resistance of microorganisms to disinfectants.

The antimicrobials – classification, groups overwiev, mechanisms of action. Antimicrobial
resistance mechanisms. Methods of antimicrobial resistance testing. The general rules of
antimicrobial treatment.

The basis of infective immunology. Immunological methods used in microbiological
investigations. Immunoprophylaxis and immunotreatment. Vaccines. Immunity sera and
immunoglobulines.

The bacteriology. Overwiev of bacteria pathogenic for human.

The virology.

The mycology.

Respiratory tract infections.

Urinary tract infections.

Gastrointestinal tract infections and foodborne diseases.

Sexually transmitted diseases. Intra-uterine and neonatal infections.

Skin, mucosal and eye infections.

Surgical infections.

Infections caused by anaerobic bacteria.

Central nervous system infections.

Bloodstream infections.

The microbiological investigation of autopsical samples.

The diagnostics of infections. Sampling, storage conditions and transporting of clinical
specimens for microbiological investigations.

Hospital acquired infections. Infection prevention and control, epidemiological investigation,
microorganisms typing methods – the role of microbiologist.
Laboratory classes:
Winter semester:
1. The organization of classes. Microbiological laboratory safety rules. The Procaryota cell
structure. Microscopy techniques.
2. Staining methods and microbial morphology. Methods used for microbiological
investigations.
3. Methods used for microbiological investigations (culture techniques, serological and
molecular biology investigations).
4. Methods for antimicrobial sensitivity testing. General rules of antimicrobial therapy.
5. Methods for detection of antimicrobial resistance and interpreting of antimicrobial sensitivity
testing results.
6. Methods used for microbiological investigation of staff and hospital environment. Hospital
hygiene.
7. Characteristics of yeasts, moulds and dermatophytes. Methods used for mycological
investigation.
8. Test. Methods for sampling and transporting clinical samples for microbiological
investigation. The human normal flora.
Summer semester:
1. Respiratory tract infections.
2.
Urinary tract infections.
3. Central nervous system infection. Eye infections.
4. Surgical site infections, skin and soft tissue infections.
5. Genital tract infections. Perinatal infections.
6. Gastrointestinal tract infections.
7. Infection caused by anaerobic bacteria.
8. Blodstream infections.
9. Opportunistic infections.
10. Healthcare associated infections.
11. Test. Interpretation of microbiological investigation results.
IX.
Self-study topics:
----------X.
Booklist:
Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Pfaller MA: Medical microbiology. MOSBY Elsevier, 2009
XI.
Detailed list of required practical skills and confirmation of completing:
Name:
Year of study:
Group:
Academic year:
Date
Confirmation
of Notes
completing
Recognizing
of
organs
slides
on
normal
human
stained
with
different histological techniques.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Organization of classes
1. The classes are to be held according to the schedule.
2. Students are not to be late for classes.
3. The presence at the classes is mandatory. Two absences during one semester may be the reason
of not giving a credit. The absence on laboratory classes does not excuse the student from
possessing the knowledge.
4. The students have to come for laboratory classes prepared.
5. The tutor may check if students are prepared for laboratory classes. The form of checking
(written or oral) is up to the tutor.
6. Not passing each laboratory classes have to be passed again. Each student can pass each class
only twice. Students which won’t have all classes passed will not be able to write test, and it is
equivalent with getting an unsatisfactory mark.
7. The students may pass again each test only once. Not passing the first test in the semester until
the second test is to be held will not be allowed to write it.
Safety instructions
1. Students must not bring with them any coats, umbrellas, bags, hats, etc. for the laboratory
classes.
2. Students should avoid any situations which may cause danger: long hairs should be braced, too
long nails should be cut and there should be no jewelery on hands etc.
3. During the classes the students must wear lab coats which can be found in the classroom. The
coats must be buttoned up.
4. During the classes the students must stay calm, use all the equipment carefully in order not to
damage anything and should always listen to the tutor.
5. Each student is responsible for his lab place.
6. The tutor should be informed by the students on every case of damaging anything or injury
during the classes.
7. The students must not take anything with them from the classes (the cultures, slides, coats etc.).
The terms of crediting classes in case of excused absence
1. Crediting classes in case of excused absence is possible only theoretically, not more than two
classes in each semester, the tutor may ask student to perform also some practical skills which
were thought during the laboratory classes.
Terms and forms of the tests
1. The writing tests are performed according to the schedule.
Form and conditions of crediting the subject
1. Students will get a credit on the basis of: presence on the classes, positive mark from the tutor
(the average counted from lab classes and tests) and lack of offence against safety instructions.
2. Not getting a credit from laboratory classes requires passing an additional test. Students may
take up this test only once.
3. In case of any problems the decision will be made individually by the head of the Department of
Microbiology.
4. The credit is given by the head of the unit.
Final exam
1. After getting the credit students pass final exam (summer semester). The final exam consists of
practical and written part.
2. For the practical exam students must be prepared from all subjects from laboratory classes and
know some practical skills required for understanding the principles of microbiological
investigations.
3. During the practical exam, students obtain notes, which point value is added to the total points
obtained during the theoretical exam. The point values are: 3,0 – 0 pkt.
 3,5 – 0 pts
 4,0 – 1 pts
 4,5 – 2 pts
 5,0 – 3 pts
4. The theoretical part of the final exam is a written test.
5. The final test consists of 60 questions. For each correct answer, students obtain one point.
6. The students must get 36 points (60%) from practical and theoretical part.
7. The marks will be given according to the ranges.
9. Students which achieve the average mark from all laboratory classes and tests at least 4,5 won’t
have to pass the final exam. In case of the average at least 4,0 students won’t have to pass the
practical exam and will obtain 5 extra points during the final test.
10. Failing the theoretical or practical part of the final exam is equivalent with getting an
unsatisfactory note.
11. Failing the theoretical part of the exam requires passing only this part during the repeat exam.
12. The absence during the exam (practical or/and theoretical) is equivalent with obtaining
unsatisfactory note, if the student will not deliver the medical certificate during three working
days after the exam.
In other cases, not mentioned above all regulations are made on the basis of Rules of Studies of the
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun.