Clinical Veterinary Microbiology

The main objective of this subject is to know current tools and techniques used in the microbiological diagnosis.

The specific objectives are to know:

1.-The levels of biosafety containment measures, the standards, and the best practices in the clinical microbiology laboratory.
2.-Which biological samples would be of choice in relation to suspected etiology, how they should be transported / sent, and which analysis should be demanded.
3.-The main techniques used in clinical microbiology.
4.-The main techniques of clinical microbiology for the identification of microorganisms.
5.-The choice of the most appropriate antibiotics.
6.-The problem of resistance to antimicrobials and the limitations in their therapeutic use.

THEORY PROGRAM (16 hours)

Item 1. Review of concepts: Microbiology and microorganisms. Taxonomy. Host-microorganism interaction. Bacterial pathogenicity. (1 HOUR)
Item 2. Biological safety measures in clinical microbiology laboratories: Classification of microorganisms. Containment measures. Rules and standard procedures. Management and treatment of waste. (2 HOURS)
Item 3. Collection, transport and initial processing of the samples in the microbiology laboratory: Clinical considerations. Collection and transportation of samples. Reception and evaluation of samples: general criteria for admission or rejection. (2 HOURS)
Item 4. Phenotypic methods of identification: Culture. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Biochemical tests and resistance. Commercial systems. (3 HOURS)
Item 5. Immunoassays in clinical microbiology: Direct diagnosis by antigen detection. Indirect diagnosis by detecting antibodies. Assessment of cellular immune responses. (3 HOURS)
Item 6. Molecular methods for bacterial identification and characterization: Basis for molecular identification techniques. Genes employed as molecular targets for identification. Molecular tools for epidemiological studies. (3 HOURS)
Item 7. Methods of identification and characterization based on whole genome sequencing. (2 HOURS)

SEMINARS (2 hours)

The teacher will propose at the beginning of the course on complementary topics to the theoretical and practical program, of special interest or current events that will be worked in the double session (MCV S1,S2-G1).

PRACTICAL PROGRAM (10 hours)
Distributed in three laboratory sessions (LB1, LB2, LB3) of 4, 4 and 2 hours respectively.
Practice 1. Identify microorganisms using phenotypic techniques (3 HOURS) (MCV LB1-G1)
Practice 2. Determine antimicrobial sensitivity (2 HOURS) (MCV LB1,2-G1)
Practice 3. Identify microorganisms using immunological techniques (2 HOURS) (MCV LB2-G1)
Practice 4. Identify microorganisms using xenotypic techniques and molecular typing for epidemiological purposes. Use of web tools (2 HOURS) (MCV LB2,3-G1)
Practice 5. Clinical cases (1 HOUR) (MCV LB3-G1)

BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY

-FORBES AB, SAHM D, WEISSFELD A. Bailey & Scott Diagnóstico microbiológico 12ª edición. Editorial Médica Panamericana. 2009.
- LUNA FONTALVO, J. A. Métodos analíticos de microbiología general y aplicada. ed. Santa Marta: Editorial Unimagdalena, 2020. 175 p. Disponible en: https://elibro-net.ezbusc.usc.gal/es/ereader/busc/128443.
-MARKEY BK, LEONARD FC, ARCHAMBAULT M, CULLINANE A, MAGUIRE D. Clinical Veterinary Microbiology 2nd edition. Mosby-Wolfe. 2013.
- PRATS G. Microbiología y Parasitología Médicas. Editorial Médica Panamericana. ISBN: 9788491106111.Año de edición: 2019.
- SONGER JG, POST KW. Veterinary Microbiology. Bacterial and fungal agents of animal disease. Elsevier Saunders. 2005.

COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY

-TIZARD IR. 2009. Inmunología veterinaria (10a edición). Elsevier. ISBN electrónico 84-9113-454-9 https://www-elsevierelibrary-es.ezbusc.usc.gal/pdfreader/inmunologa-vet…
- TRUANT A.L. Manual of commercial methods in Clinical Microbiology. Wiley Online Library Online Books. 2016.
- VERSALOVIC J, CARROLL KC, FUNKE G, JORGENSEN JH, LANDRY ML, WARNOCK DW. Manual of Clinical Microbiology 10th edition. American Society for Microbiology. 2013.
- WINN WC, ALLEN SD, JANDA WM, KONEMAN EW, PROCOP GW, SCHRENCKENBERGER PC, WOODS GL. Koneman. Diagnóstico microbiológico. Texto y Atlas en color. Editorial Médica Panamericana. 2008.

Websites of interest:

-Microbiology and Immunology on‐line (Universidad de South Carolina) http://microbiologybook.org/book/index.htm
-Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology http: // www.textbookofbacteriology.net
-Guía Práctica de Identificación y Diagnóstico en Micología Clínica: http://www.guia.reviberoammicol.com/
-The Aspergillus/Aspergillosis Website http://www.aspergillus.org.uk/
-Mycology on‐line (Universidad de Adelaide) http://www.mycology.adelaide.edu.au/
-Epidemia virtual, Sociedad Española de Virología http://epidemia.sevirologia.es/
-MicroBIO http://microbioun.blogspot.com.es/
http://blogs.elpais.com/microbichitos/
-Sociedad Española de Microbiología SEM Microbiología | Sociedad Española de Microbiología (semicrobiologia.org)
-Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica:
Documentos Científicos | Seimc.org
-University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Online photo atlas in Veterinary disease biology
https://atlas.sund.ku.dk/
-PRAN https://www.resistenciaantibioticos.es/es/lineas-de-accion/formacion/un…
-Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (AESAN) https://www.aesan.gob.es/AECOSAN/web/home/aecosan_inicio.htm
-Elika. Fundación Vasca para la Seguridad Agroalimentaria https://www.elika.eus/es/
-European Food Safety Authority https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/monitoring-foodborne-diseases

1. GENERAL COMPETENCIES:

-GVUSC02. Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
-GVUSC03. General knowledge of the working area.
-GVUSC04. Planning and work management.
-GVUSC05. Capability to put knowledge into practice.

2. DISCIPLINARY SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES (knowledge):

-CEDVUSC 16. To know the basic analytical techniques and its interpretation.

3. SPECICIFIC PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES (expertise, day-one skills):

-D1VUSC 02. Collect and send specimens with the corresponding reports.
-D1VUSC 03. Perform standard laboratory tests, and interpret clinical, biological and chemical results.

4. SPECIFIC ACADEMIC SKILLS (to do):

-CEAVUSC 01. Analyze, synthesize, solve problems and make decisions within the scope of the Veterinary profession.
-CEAVUSC 08. Being aware of the need to keep professional skills and knowledge up-to-date through a process of lifelong learning.

5. TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCIES:

-CTVUSC 02. Ability to obtain adequate, diverse and updated information by various means such as literature and Internet information, and critically analyze it.
-CTVUSC 03. Ability to develop and present an organized and understandable text.
-CTVUSC 06. Use of information in a foreign language.
-CTVUSC 07. Ability to solve problems through the integrated application of knowledge.

- MASTER CLASS. Expository teaching will be carried out through master classes (16h), where the theoretical foundations of the subject will be explained using the necessary audiovisual means and materials. Student participation will be encouraged with the PREVIOUS STUDY method through small assumptions questions.

-LABORATORY PRACTICES. MCV LB1, LB2, LB3. The subject practices (15h) are mandatory. They are aimed at ensuring that the student acquires practical skills and abilities in relation to biosafety, equipment management and microbiological techniques necessary for the study of viruses.
In general, the practical sessions will be taught in the practical laboratory of the Microbiology Unit of Pavilion I of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Autonomous practical work in a small group and supervised by the teacher. A mixed session will be considered at the same time at the Animal Health and Production Laboratory of Galicia, whenever possible. Attendance at practical sessions is mandatory.

- SEMINAR. MCV S1 and S2. The seminars (2h), with compulsory attendance, in which complementary topics will be developed that the teacher will propose to the students at the beginning of the subject, and which they will develop in groups. The group's work will be supervised by the teacher. The result of this work is translated into a written report, and in the presentation (oral presentation) of the topics as a debate with the rest of the students during the double face-to-face tutoring session MCV T1 and T2.

-Individual tutorials in person, via email or TEAMS.

A. CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

The score corresponding to the Continuous Assessment will mean at least 40% of the final grade, which may reach 100% as long as the students participate in >= 80% of the sessions with good use. A follow-up of the good use will be carried out through brief questionnaires of the sessions, taking into account the following sections:
-Attendance and participation in lectures
-Individual and collective work based on problem solving throughout the practical sessions
-Assessment of a memory, exhibition and debate of a topic proposed at the beginning of the subject.


B. WRITING ASSESSMENT

The written test will be held, when necessary, on the date and time agreed by the Faculty Board. The written exam will include questions of the Theory and Practice Program. Writing Assessment will account for a maximum of 60% of the final grade.

C. GLOBAL ASSESSMENT

The calculation of the final grade will be = Continuous Assessment + Writing Assessment

For cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of article 16 of the Regulation "Normativa de Avaliación do Rendemento Académico e Revisión de cualificación sobre o plaxio nas probas" will apply.

OBSERVATIONS There is no exemption from class attendance, given the weight of continuous evaluation in this matter. Part of the evaluation is not saved for future calls.

PRESENTIAL WORK: 30 Hours
- Expository classes: 16 hours
-Laboratory practices (MicroClin LB1): 10 hours
- Seminars (MicroClin S1 and S2): 2 hours
- Scheduled tutorials (MicroClin T1 and T2): 2 hours

STUDENT'S PERSONAL WORK: 45 HOURS
- Individual study: 30 hours
- Elaboration of practice memory: 4 hours
- Bibliographic review, library, etc.: 4 hours
- Resolution of cases / problems: 2
- Oral presentations: 2
- Completion of questionnaires: 2 hours
- Other tasks proposed by the teacher: 1 hour

The student should attend the theoretical-practical sessions, seminars and tutorials scheduled for proper training in this field and also get a positive Continuous Assessment.

It is highly recommended to review the knowledge and concepts of certain previous-coursed subjects such as Veterinary Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases.

Students should perform a comprehensive reading of teaching materials available on the Virtual Campus before attending lectures and seminars. Students are encouraged to search complementary information about the topics presented and to participate in discussions.

Only students who do not carry out any activity during the course will be graded “Not Presented”.
This subject is taught in the two official languages of the community, Spanish and Galician.
INDIVIDUAL tutorials: in the offices of Pavilion I, 2nd floor of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (with prior agreement of day and time by email).