| CODE | PAT3326 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Pathology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Pharmaceutical Microbiology: Lectures cover selected bacterial & viral aetiological agents, the infections these cause & the relevant vaccines/toxoids available; Immunization Schedules; Principles of Infection Control, including transmission of infectious diseases, hand hygiene and prevention of travel associated infections. The control and prevention of multiresistant organisms are addressed leading to the topics on antibiotics. Antimicrobials: There is an introduction to the topic, including definitions, historical perspectives, classification and properties of therapeutically useful antimicrobials; the advantages, disadvantages and indications for using drug combinations are emphasized. There is in depth discussion of the following specific classes of antimicrobials: Fusidanes, Nitroimidazoles (metronidazole), Sulphonamides, Diaminopyrimidines , Aminoglycosides, Lincosamides, Macrolides ,Tetracyclines and Chloramphenicol. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit is intended to: - Describe the theoretical and practical aspects of active and passive immunisation against infectious diseases, with particular attention to locally endemic infections and to vaccination programmes; - Explain the basic principles of infection control in the hospital setting; - Emphasise the problems of multiresistance to antimicrobial agents; - Outline the properties of some of the major groups of antimicrobial agents together with emphasis on key compounds; - Set the basis for correct clinical use of antimicrobials. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Distinguish between active and passive immunity; - Explain the local Immunization Policy; - Discuss the mode of action and efficacy of vaccines and toxoid preparations, especially those available locally; - Define the modes of transmission of infectious diseases, with particular emphasis on hospital acquired infections; - Underline the principles of hospital infection control; - Discuss how antimicrobial multiresistance develops; - Describe the problems related to antimicrobial multiresistance, on a national and global level; - Explain the basic pharmacology and mode of action of antimicrobial agents; - Outline the clinical indications and correct use of specific antimicrobial agents; - Discuss the principles underlying antibiotic selectivity; - Highlight the problems caused by development of resistance to antimicrobials. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - State the correct immunisation programme available locally; - Identify the correct indications for use of vaccines and toxoid preparations; - Demonstrate correct hand hygiene practice; - Apply guidelines on practices to prevent and control hospital infections; - Provide practical advice on how to prevent travel associated infections; - Indicate the correct use of specific antimicrobials in clinical practice, in both chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis scenarios; - Recognise when antimicrobials are not indicated in a particular clinical setting; - Recognise incorrect use of antimicrobials, both in selectivity and in dosage; - Give practical advice as to how the pharmacist can contribute to prevention and mitigation of development of multiresistance; - Appreciate their future role as pharmacists in providing advice in a multidisciplinary team of microbiologists, infectious disease physicians, veterinary surgeons, infection control and public health specialists, regarding antibiotic usage, to curb overuse, misuse and abuse of antibiotics. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Medical Microbiology: A Guide to Microbial Infections: Pathogenesis, Immunity, Laboratory Diagnosis and Control. David Greenwood, Richard C. B. Slack (Ed), Michael R. Barer, Will L. Irving (Editors), 18th Ed. 2012, ISBN-10: 0702040894, ISBN-13: 978-0702040894, Churchill Livingstone. Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Laurence L. Brunton, Bruce A. Chabner, Bjorn C. Knollman, 12th Ed, 2010 , ISBN13: 9780071624428, ISBN10: 0071624422, McGraw-Hill Professional. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE PAT1322 AND TAKE PAT2322 | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Peter Zarb |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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