Parasitology, Mycology and Clinical Infection Biology

The course is divided into three parts: mycology (3 credits), parasitology (4 credits) and clinical microbiology and infectious diseases (8 credits). The course parts mycology and parasitology deal with the occurrence and classification of pathogenic fungi and various parasites, including protozoa, arthropods and helminths. The life cycle, structure and biology of pathogens are discussed, but also their interaction with the host organism's immune system and methods to prevent disease and spread. The course section on clinical microbiology and infectious diseases discusses the most important viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections that occur in human medicine. Infections of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, central nervous system, skin, soft tissue, skeleton and cardiovascular system are discussed. Various inflammatory cascades are discussed in more detail to provide in-depth knowledge of the connection of the symptoms to both the virulence factors in microorganisms and to the immunological defence in humans. Methods for diagnosis, medical intervention and antimicrobial therapy are discussed from a clinical perspective. Basic principles of vaccinology as well as different vaccination strategies to prevent disease and the spread of infections are discussed. The course also constitutes an arena for discussing ethical regulations and approaches in infectious disease medicine in general.