Course Purpose

Medical Microbiology equips learners with foundational and applied knowledge of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and their roles in health and disease.

The course develops learners’ ability to understand microbial ecology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, antimicrobial therapy, and the development of antimicrobial resistance.

It also prepares learners to apply principles of immunization, infection prevention and control, epidemiology, and outbreak response in clinical and public health settings.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

1. Describe the classification, characteristics, morphology, and clinical significance of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and normal human microbiota.
   
2. Explain the mechanisms of microbial transmission, host–microbe interactions, pathogenesis, and the development and epidemiology of infectious diseases.
   
3. Apply appropriate principles and procedures for the laboratory diagnosis of microbial infections, including specimen handling, microscopy, culture, identification, serology, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
   
4. Demonstrate appropriate principles of antimicrobial therapy, immunization, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance management, and outbreak response in healthcare settings.
   

Course Content

Bacteria, Viruses And Fungi

Classification and characteristics of microbes, procedures for identification, Bacteria - morphological characteristics, staining, and pathology, Viruses - characteristics, serology and pathology; Fungi - morphological characteristics, microscopy, and pathology;

Normal Flora And Pathogenic Microorganisms

Microbiota, gut microbiota, and vaginal microbiota. Microbial infection, transmission, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment, Culture and sensitivity testing - principles, procedure, sensitivity, resistance and synergism).

Infection Prevention And Control

principles, laboratory safety, handling of equipment, clinical samples and medical waste, decontamination, sterilization, isolation, disinfection, chemotherapy and vaccinology.