MEDL 217 - Microbiology Concentrations

1. Comply with all institutional safety policies, OSHA, and Bloodborne Pathogen Standards.
2. Use established criteria to identify and evaluate specimen
3. Explain the morphology, cultural characteristics and diseases of pathogenic fungi in mycology.
4. Explain the taxonomy, morphology, and clinical significance of the medically important parasites.
5. Describe the basic structure/components of viral agents.
6. Explain the collection and identification procedures for mycology, parasitology, and virology.
7. Appraise morphology characteristics for identification of selected pathogenic fungi and parasites from images.
8. Differentiate viruses from bacteria based on requirement for living cells, size, structure, replication, and therapy.
9. Outline the criteria for classification of viruses based on RNA/DNA and host.
10. Describe laboratory procedures for detection of viral agents and particles.
11. Describe the origin and mode of transmission, colonization, and correlate to disease and carrier states.
12. Describe a brief history of the development of molecular diagnostics
13. Describe the structure and discuss the basic functions of DNA.
14. Explain semi-conservative DNA replication
15. Describe chromosome morphology
16. Discuss Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics
17. Define mutations and polymorphisms
18. Discuss and describe molecular methodologies as it relates to the purpose, reagents, quality control, and samples.
19. Compare and contrast blotting techniques
20. Explain fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
21. State variables for concern for pre-analytical testing, analytical phase of testing and post-analytical phase of testing
22. Compare and contrast test system categories
23. Discuss the role of molecular testing in evidence based medicine
24. Discuss the impact molecular diagnostics will have on laboratory medicine, diagnosis and management of disease, and ethical implications.

PARASITOLOGY LECTURE CONTENT:

Major pathogenic fungi:

• Collection and examination criteria
• Cutaneous, subcutaneous, and system mycoses
  • Saprophytic fungi
  • Dermatophytes
  • Candida
  • Cryptococcus
• Nomenclature of fungi spores
• Growth characteristic
• Media requirements
• Germ tube
• India Ink
• Pictorial identification
• Collection and examination criteria for medically significant parasites
• Parasites: Morphology, host, life cycle, pathogenicity, and pictorial identification as appropriate
  • Protozoa - cysts:
  • Protozoa - trophs:
  • Medically Significant Protozoa - trophs:
  • Plasmodium
  • Toxoplasma
  • Trypanosoma
  • Leishmania
  • Helminths
  • Medically Significant Trematodes (flukes)
  • Medically Significant Nematodes (roundworms)
• Other fecal tests: collection, preservation, storage, clinical significance, and application

VIROLOGY LECTURE CONTENT:

• Hepatitis viruses
• Simplex virus, Herpesvirus 1 and 2
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Varicella-Zoster (VZV)
• Influenza virus A
• Avian influenza (H5N1, H7N1)
• Swine influenza (H1N1v)
• Influenza virus B
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Epidemiology
• Community Acquired Infections
• Nosocomial (Healthcare Acquired) Infections

VIROLOGY LAB CONTENT:

• Principles of detection
• Limitations and sources of errors
• Troubleshooting according to set guidelines
• Sensitivity and specificity
• Quality control
• Direct detection methods
• Immunodiagnostic
  • Direct and indirect immunofluorescent
  • Antibody methods
  • Enzyme immunoassay methods (EIA)/(ELISA)
• Molecular methods
• Cell culture systems
• Serology

MOLECULAR LECTURE CONTENT:

• Central dogma
• Transcription
• Translation
• Extrachromosomal (plasmid, mitochondrial transmission)
• Purpose of technique
• Reagents and purpose
• Acceptable sample types
• Storage criteria
• Enzyme inactivation
• Basic function of enzymes
• Western, Northern and Southern Blotting
• Nucleic substances tested (DNA, RNA, Proteins)
• Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)
• Stringency
• Hybridization
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• Amplification reaction
• Cycle (denature, anneal, extend)
• Components/concentration
  • Primers and primer design
  • DNA template, bases, and polymerase
  • Buffer
• Probe assays
• Master mix
• Differentiate PCR modification techniques (end-point versus real-time)
• Signal, target, and probe amplification
• Specimen collection/handling
• Specimen extraction and storage
• Contamination monitoring
• Contamination prevention
• Analyte specific reagent (ASR)
• Research use only (RUO)
• In vitro diagnostics (IVD)
• Lab developed test (LDT)

MOLECULAR LAB CONTENT:

• Simulation of selected procedures
• Perform select procedures as available