General microbiology

Theory

Contents

• Introduction (P. Melin)
• Historical milestones (P. Melin)
• The microbial world (P. Melin)
• Bacteria, procaryotic cells (P. Melin)
• Beneficial aspects of microbes (P. Melin)
• Concepts of microbial diseases (P. Melin)
• Control of microbial diseases: prevention and therapeutic approach (P. Melin)
• Fungi (MP. Hayette)
• Parasites (MP. Hayette)

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

Dear students, 
do you know what looks like a laboratory of clinical microbiology? How the samples are processed to obtain the identification of causal agents  of infection and how are performed the susceptibility testing for bacteria and fungi? What are the different activity sectors represented in the lab?
In order to update your knowledge in microbiology, the practical's introduce essentials in biosecurity, the mandatory hygiene rules such as hand washing but also the basic techniques used in microbiology for diagnosing infectious diseases.
 
Table of contents
1-Cautions hygiene rules to apply during the practical's.
2-Microbiological study of a pathologic sample

• what is a bacteria?
• bacteria in the living word
• macroscopic examination of a sample
• morphology of bacteria and yeasts: microscopic examination
• culture conditions
• basic methodologies

• Identification of bacteria
• Identification des yeasts
• Identification des filamentous fungi

• techniques
• clinical applications 

Theory

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• identify the main microbial challenges on the earth
• describe the importance of mortality associated to infectious diseases and the evolution/emergence of infectious diseases
• summarize a few important milestones in the microbial history
• describe the different groups of microorganisms and their characteristics
• explain the important role and characteristics of biofilms
• describe the main points of bacterial genetics and genome plasticity
• report the principles of beneficials aspects of microbes
• summarize the different symbiotic and pathogenic  relationships between microorganisms and human beings.
• list the main bacterial virulence factors
• describe the different modes of transmission of microbes to or between human beings
• understand and summarize human defenses against microbial attack and prevention strategies (food security, access to drinking water, vaccines, sterilization - disinfection, antibiotics).
• list the main groups of antibiotics, mode of action and resistance mechanisms
• describe the principles of the main microbial methods used for clinical diagnostics

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

At end of the practical's the students will be abble to:

• know the basic knowledge on biosecurity
• have a basic hand hygiène 
• inoculate a sample on agar media and to know the characteristics of culture media
• observe and comment the morphology of bacterial colonies on agar media and also on Gram staining
• describe the methods for the detection and identification of microorganisms used in the laboratory (for the detection of bacteria, yeasts, filamentous fungi)
• descrive the methods for the immunologic detection of antigens and antibodies
• judge the strengh and weakness of point of care tests

Theory

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program.

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

Therorethical knowledge given in the general microbiology course.

Theory

The course is taught as lectures, supported by PowerPoint-type slides.
Students are invited to ask their questions after the lecture or by email.
Practical work sessions are compulsory.  They illustrate the theoretical course.  Biosecurity and hand hygiene are introduced at the first session.

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

During the practical's the students are coached by teaching students that follow the students for a better comprehension. The activities performed by the student illustrate the knowledge given in the course.
This practical's addressing future healthcare professionals, exercises and demonstrations relate to clinical microbiology and thus introduce the notion of the missions of a Microbiology Laboratory in the diagnosis and control of infectious agents.
   
 

Theory

Face-to-face lectures and practical works at the bench Contribution of 2 persons for lectures:

• Prof. P.Melin
• Prof.MP. Hayette

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

Practicals are organised in groups coached by teaching students that are supervised by Julie Descy, pharmacist and clinical biologist specialised in clinical microbiology.  
A lab coat is mandatory. Hand gloves are used during the manipulations.  
The presence in the practical's is MANDATORY. each absence has to be justified by a medical certificate which should be transmitted to Julie DESCY.(julie.descy@chuliege.be).
From 2 unjustified absences the student will not be allowed to present the final practical's examination and the test will be scored as 0/20.

Theory

Sets of slides of lectures as well as syllabus of pratical works, posted on the ULg website, which can be downloaded by the concerned students, are compulsory.
The following books are good references related to the course:

• MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Mims C. et al, 5th Ed.,2012, Elsevier
• INTRODUCION A LA MICROBIOLOGIE, Tortora G.J. et al, 2nd Ed., 2012, ERPI, Editions du Renouveau Pédagogique Inc.
• BROCK BIOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS, MT Madigan et al, 14th Ed, 2014,Pearson
• THE MICROBIAL CHALLENGE, Krasner R., 2002, Ed. ASM PRESS
• MICROBIOLOGIE, Prescott, Willey JM et al, Traduction de la 8ème Ed,2013, Ed.De Boeck Université

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

A specific manual dedicated to the practical's is available online.

Theory

Written examinations for the theorical (January / September) (multiple choice questions, open questions with short answers).
Written evaluation (multiple choice questions +/- open questions with short answers) for the practical works, organized after the last session of each group.  The evaluation is included for 10% in the notes obtained in January.
 

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

The exam will be under the form of a QCM. It will be organised on the same day for all students of the section. A quote/20 will be given. This quote will count for 10% of the final quote of the examination (general microbiology) taking place in June.

Theory

Some students from masters (1-4) may be selected to become "tutors" for other students attending the practical courses of general and medical microbiology. Conditions : good results at the examinations of Microbiology (theory and practical lessons); good global results ; motivation.

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

Possibility to apply for teaching students.

Theory

For practical works session

• the coordinator is Julie Descy, pharmacist, specialist in clinical biology and microbiology, university hospital of Liege
• Attendance is compulsory
• Access is restricted only to students wearing a labcoat.

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

Th epresence is mandatory.
The short is also mandatory.
Change of groups are not allowed. Each change should be asked before 7/11/2018 to Julie DESCY (julie.descy@chuliege.be);

Theory

Clinical microbiology Department University Hospital of Liège, B-23 Sart Tilman, 4000 LIEGE Belgium
Secretary For a contact or to fix an appointment, contact the secretary Mrs MC. Lhôte

• Phone : 00.32.4.366.24.39
• Telecopy: 00.32.4.366.24.40
• Email: micromed@ulg.ac.be

• Pierrette.Melin@ulg.ac.be

• mphayette@ulg.ac.be(mphayette@chu.ulg.ac.be )

• julie.descy@chu.ulg.ac.be

Practical work for medicine and dentistry

Responsable for practical's
Julie Descy
julie.descy@chuliege.be
 
Academic Professors teaching general microbiology
Pierrette Melin
Marie-Pierre Hayette

Secretary
Mrs MC Lhôte
Tel.: 00.32.4.366.24.39
Fax: 00.32.4.366.24.40
Email: micromed@ulg.ac.be

Theory

General mycology (MP Hayette)
Slides

General parasitology
slides