Unit 68: Microbiology and Parasitology

1. Introduction to Microbiology

• Definition and scope of microbiology
• Historical milestones in microbiology
  • Discovery of microorganisms
  • Development of germ theory
• Branches of microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Mycology
  • Virology
  • Parasitology
• Significance of microorganisms
  • In health and disease
  • Industrial applications
  • Environmental roles

2. Microbial Cell Structure and Function

• Overview of microbial diversity
• Bacteria
  • Cell wall composition and types (Gram-positive, Gram-negative)
  • Cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes
  • Appendages: flagella, pili, capsules
• Fungi
  • Yeasts vs molds
  • Cell wall components
  • Reproductive structures
• Protozoa
  • Cellular organization
  • Locomotion mechanisms
• Viruses
  • Structure: capsid, nucleic acid, envelope
  • Replication strategies
• Ecological roles related to structure

3. Microbial Growth and Reproduction

• Growth requirements
  • Nutritional needs
  • Environmental factors (temperature, pH, oxygen)
• Growth curve phases
  • Lag phase
  • Log (exponential) phase
  • Stationary phase
  • Death phase
• Mechanisms of reproduction
  • Binary fission (bacteria)
  • Budding (yeasts)
  • Spore formation (fungi, some bacteria)

4. Bacterial Classification and Identification

• Classification criteria
  • Morphology (shape: cocci, bacilli, spirilla)
  • Gram staining and acid-fast staining
  • Oxygen requirements (aerobic, anaerobic, facultative anaerobic)
  • Biochemical characteristics
• Identification methods
  • Microscopy
  • Culture techniques
  • Biochemical tests (catalase, oxidase, fermentation tests)
  • Molecular methods overview

5. Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance

• Types of antimicrobial agents
  • Antibiotics
  • Antifungals
  • Antivirals
• Modes of action
  • Cell wall synthesis inhibitors
  • Protein synthesis inhibitors
  • Nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors
• Mechanisms of resistance
  • Enzymatic degradation
  • Target modification
  • Efflux pumps
• Implications of resistance

6. Introduction to Parasitology

• Definition and scope
• Classification of parasites
  • Protozoa
  • Helminths
  • Arthropods
• Host-parasite interactions
  • Types of hosts (definitive, intermediate)
  • Modes of transmission
• Impact on human health

7. Protozoan Parasites

• Characteristics and morphology
• Life cycles
• Common protozoan parasites
  • Plasmodium spp. (malaria)
  • Giardia lamblia (giardiasis)
  • Entamoeba histolytica (amoebiasis)
• Transmission and epidemiology
• Clinical manifestations and prevention

8. Helminth Parasites

• Types of helminths
  • Nematodes (roundworms)
  • Cestodes (tapeworms)
  • Trematodes (flukes)
• Life cycles and development
• Routes of infection
• Major human diseases
  • Ascariasis, hookworm infections
  • Taeniasis
  • Schistosomiasis
• Diagnosis and control measures

9. Arthropod Parasites

• Overview of arthropod parasites
• Important vectors and parasites
  • Ticks
  • Mites
  • Fleas
  • Lice
• Role in disease transmission
  • Vector-borne diseases (e.g., Lyme disease, typhus)
• Control and prevention strategies

10. Diagnosis and Treatment of Microbial and Parasitic Infections

• Diagnostic techniques
  • Microscopy and staining methods
  • Serological tests
  • Molecular diagnostics (PCR, antigen detection)
  • Culture and sensitivity testing
• Principles of antimicrobial therapy
  • Selection of agents
  • Mechanisms of action
  • Resistance management
• Principles of antiparasitic therapy
  • Drug classes and targets
  • Treatment challenges