This module is designed to review the prevalence, pathogenicity and clinical significance of common bacterial agents. The module explores the principle and procedures of conventional laboratory detection methods and addresses the fundamental aspects of automation, molecular detection and antimicrobial resistance in microbial diagnostics. The practical programme develops good laboratory practice and competence in bacterial isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Module content
Clinical specimens in diagnostic microbiology, quality, collection, transport and processing
Clinical significance, pathogenic nature, prevalence and laboratory isolation and identification of common bacterial pathogens including:
- Gram positive cocci: staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci,
- Gram negative cooci/coccobacilli: neisseriae, moraxellae, haemophili, brucellae,
- Gram positive bacilli: corynebacteria, listeriae, bacilli
- Gram negative bacilli: enterobacteria, pseudomonads
- Clinically significant mycobacteria and anaerobes
Antimicrobial therapy and mode of action of common antimicrobial agents
Standardised antimicrobial susceptibility test methods; qualitative (disc diffusion), quantitative (MIC, Etest)
Trends and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in common bacterial pathogens e.g. MRSA, VRE, MDR-GNB
Overview of the principle, performance, impact and limitations of automation and molecular diagnostics in the clinical microbiology laboratory e.g. VITEK, MALDI-TOFF, Front end processing Real-Time PCR
Practical programme:
Safe handling and containment of pathogenic bacteria
Aseptic technique for the laboratory culture and identification of pathogenic bacteria
Case study presentation and laboratory isolation and identification of common bacterial pathogens including staphylococci, streptococci, corynebacteria, bacilli, neisseriae, haemophili, enterobacterales, anaerobes.
Standardised antimicrobial susceptibility test methods; disc diffusion, Etest
Resistance profiling; ESBLs, CPE
Lectures, Case-based Laboratory Practicals, workshops/tutorials and self-study
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 60 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |