Division of Infection & Immunity

INFORMATION FOR THE THIRD YEAR COURSE IN

VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY

ACADEMIC YEAR 2005/2006

Items contained within this Course Information Document are sometimes unavoidably subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the correct lecture, practical, tutorial and examination schedules. Lecture venues may be changed during the Course. The Year Notice boards and email should be checked daily.

In light of student feedback and External Examiner comments the following changes have been made.

Code of Professional Conduct to Fitness to Practice. You are reminded that you will be expected to have read the above code, sign for it and implemented during your time in the course

CONTENTS / Page
1 / Place of the Course in the BVMS Degree Curriculum / 2
2 / Aims of the Course / 2
3 / Learning Objectives of the Course / 2
Section 1:Bacteriology
Section 2:Virology
Section 3:Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases
Section 4:Veterinary Public Health, Module 1
4 / Components of the Course / 3
5 / Course Content / 3
6 / Course Texts, Further Reading and Moodle / 8
7 / Teaching Hours and Teaching Methods / 9
8 / Methods of Assessment / 9
9 / Teaching Unit Instructions / 15
10 / Other Important Information / 15
10.1 Protective Clothing, Health and Safety
10.2 Staff and Student Liaison
10.3 Teaching Staff
10.4 Provisional Timetables for Terms I, II and III
10.5 Examples of recent Degree Examination essay questions
10.6 Examples of multiple choice questions

INFORMATION FOR THE THIRD YEAR COURSE IN

VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY

ACADEMIC YEAR 2005/2006

1.THE PLACE OF THE COURSE IN THE BVMS DEGREE CURRICULUM

Veterinary Microbiology is the study of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. Microbiology is an extremely important element of veterinary medicine since infectious diseases are common in domestic animals. In addition, some of these infections may be transmissible to man. Consequently Public Health is a component of the Microbiology course. The Course is given over all three terms of the Third Year and then some elements are continued in the Fourth Year within the Combined Integrated Course when the infectious diseases of each species of domestic animal are considered in detail. During the Third Year, a proper understanding of Microbiology and Public Health will be obtained by combining the knowledge acquired in Veterinary Pathology, Parasitology and Pharmacology with that obtained from the Microbiology Course itself.

2. AIMS OF THE COURSE

a)To provide basic knowledge of the microorganisms responsible for infectious diseases of domestic animals.

b)To describe the bacteria , fungi and viruses causing these diseases in relation to their structure, modes of replication and disease producing mechanism.

c)Describe the mechanism of action of antimicrobial agents and how bacteria may resist their action

d)To describe the genetic mechanism leading to cancer development, particularly those mechanisms used by oncogenic viruses.

e)Provide details of how the causes of infectious diseases of animals are identified.

f)To explain the principles of vaccination, epidemiology and control of infectious diseases.

g)To provide an introduction to Veterinary Public Health and Food Technology.

h)To apply the knowledge of animal microorganisms and epidemiology to diseases transmissible to man.

i)To provide an overview of the organisation of public health administration.

  1. LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

On completing the course you should:

a)Have a basic knowledge of the microorganisms responsible for infectious diseases of animals derived from this course and earlier courses.

b)Be able to associate the bacteria, fungi and viruses causing animal disease with the diseases caused.

c)Be able to describe the structure, modes of replication and disease producing mechanisms of these agents.

d)Understand the mechanism of action of antimicrobial agents and how bacteria may resist their action

e)Understand the genetic mechanisms leading to cancer developing particularly those used by oncogenic viruses.

f)Be able to handle microorganisms safely in a laboratory and carry out elementary microbiological procedures.

g)Understand the principles of diagnostic methods used in Veterinary Microbiology.

h)Understand the nature of vaccines and the principles governing their use.

i)Have knowledge of the fundamentals of epidemiology and be able to supply examples.

j)Understand the basis for the control of microbial disease, including therapy and the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, the use of inoculation, disinfection and vaccine programmes, especially with reference to Notifiable Disease.

k)Have a basic knowledge of the importance of food technology.

l)Understand the basic principles and ethics of Veterinary Public Health and the organisation of Public Health in the U.K.

m)Apply the technical knowledge of microorganisms and parasites gained in the course to date to the control of zoonotic diseases.

4.COMPONENTS OF THE COURSE

The Third Year Veterinary Microbiology Course extends the information on the basic knowledge of microorganisms and immunology that was provided in the First Year and Second Year course in Biomolecular Sciences by focusing on the organisms that are responsible for infectious diseases of domestic animals and are capable of causing disease in man. The teaching integrates vertically with the Fourth Year Combined Integrated Course as well as the Biomolecular Sciences course. The recurring emphasis of the teaching is the relationship of the basic biology and molecular characteristics of microorganisms with pathogenesis, recovery, diagnosis, epidemiology and control.

The course is given in four sections:

Bacteriology (including Mycology)

Virology (including prion diseases)

Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases

Veterinary Public Health (Module 1).

5.COURSE CONTENT

Section 1: Bacteriology

Course Aims

  1. To provide a broad view of bacteriology and mycology in general, and veterinary bacteriology and mycology in particular.
  2. To describe the structure, ultrastructure and physiology of bacteria and fungi as an aid to the understanding of their biology, replication and culture. Characters that distinguish them from other infective agents are discussed.
  3. To discuss the genetics and molecular biology of bacteria, with emphasis on gene regulation, the transfer of genetic information and genetic variation in bacteria.
  4. To discuss the basis for classifying bacteria and fungi into groups and the properties of the major groups with reference to bacteria and fungi of veterinary or public health importance.
  5. To give specific information about the action of antimicrobials on bacteria and fungi. This is intended to form a basis for the descriptions of antimicrobial therapy that occur in the third year course in Veterinary Pharmacology. The genetic basis of antibiotic resistance and the transfer of resistance are described.
  6. To illustrate the broad mechanisms of pathogenesis of bacterial and fungal diseases, and the non-specific and specific immunological response to bacteria and their role in resistance to and recovery from bacterial infections.
  7. To provide an understanding of the principles of vaccination against infectious diseases. The salient features of different types of vaccine are discussed. Both traditional and experimental bacterial vaccines will be described.
  8. To consider the theoretical aspects of the detection and identification of bacteria and fungi and their products. Analysis of the specific immune response to bacteria and fungi and their products in the diagnosis of infection is also considered.
  9. To describe, in the practical classes, the basic principles of bacterial culture and bacterial identification. To use simple exercises to develop practical skills in the safe handling of bacterial and fungal pathogens. An approach to problem solving in bacterial diagnosis is developed. The practical classes are intended to supplement formal teaching on bacterial groups and to provide a forum for small group informal discussions.

Student Objectives

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to undertake or to know the following:

  1. Describe the structure and function of bacterial and fungal cells and their components. Understand the differences between bacteria and eukaryotic cells.
  2. Understand the basis of bacterial and fungal growth and replication. Know the basic physiology and metabolism of bacteria and fungi. Know the principles of sterilisation and disinfection.
  3. Know the characteristic features of the major bacterial and fungal groups and which bacteria and fungi are of veterinary importance, the diseases they cause and their host range.
  4. Understand the basics of bacterial genetics including the mechanisms of gene regulation, mutation and gene transfer and understand the importance of plasmids and bacteriophages.
  5. Understand the basis of antimicrobial action and know the broad categories of antimicrobials. Know the basis of antimicrobial resistance, its importance, evolution and spread, and how it is measured.
  6. Give an outline of the basic processes involved in the pathogenesis of bacterial diseases including the molecular basis of how bacteria colonise their hosts, resist the defence systems of the host, acquire nutrients and damage the host. Appreciate the role of mycotoxins in disease.
  7. Know the innate and acquired host defences and the mechanisms involved in resistance to and recovery from bacterial and fungal infections
  8. To understand the principles of vaccination, the different types of vaccine and their advantages and disadvantages. Know examples of current and experimental anti-bacterial vaccines and the diseases they prevent
  9. Understand and know the principles of how to identify bacteria and fungi or their products using culture, direct visualisation, metabolic tests, serological and nucleic acid based techniques.
  10. Carry out the examination of clinical samples for the presence of bacteria and fungi in the laboratory in a safe manner. Presumptively identify cultures of the commonly isolated bacteria and fungi and know how their identity should be confirmed.

Section 2: Virology

Course Aims

  1. To provide an overview of the structure and mode of replication of viruses.
  2. To illustrate the basis of the methods used to diagnose viral infections including tests that can be carried out in veterinary practice.
  3. To explain the basis of classifying viruses into groups. The properties of the major groups are discussed by reference to viruses of veterinary importance. Emphasis is given to understanding the mechanisms by which viruses cause disease.
  4. To develop major themes in virology, including strategies for the survival of viruses, persistent viral infections, cancer-causing viruses, variation in viral antigenicity and pathogenicity, arthropod-borne viruses and emerging viral diseases.
  5. To explain the mechanisms by which animals recover from viral infections, particularly through immune responses.
  6. To explain the effect of genetic change on virus biology and how this can potentially influence the virulence, antigenicity and the host range of viruses.
  7. To illustrate the different types of viral vaccine available and the genetic manipulation of viruses in the production of new generation vaccines.

Student Objectives

By the end of the course students are expected to be able to undertake or know the following:

  1. Describe the principles of virus structure and replication.
  2. Know the characteristic features of the major viral groups and the important veterinary viruses within those groups, including the agents causing the spongiform encephalopathies. Understand the different types of relationship that viruses can have with their hosts and how certain viral infections become persistent.
  3. Appreciate the mechanisms of genetic change in viruses and the selection pressures that lead to changes in virulence, antigenicity or host range.
  4. Know the mechanisms involved in recovery from virus infections.
  5. Understand the principles involved in the diagnosis viral infections.

6. Describe the types of viral vaccines available and their relative advantages and disadvantages.

7. Know how recombinant DNA technology may be used to directly modify viral genomes and understand its significance, particularly for vaccination.

Section 3:Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases

Aims of the course

  1. To describe the general principles of epidemiology and consider the mechanisms of spread of some of the more important infectious agents of domestic animals. The different types of epidemiological investigation are studied by consideration and discussion of original publications. An introduction to the epidemiological modelling of infectious diseases is given.
  2. The aims of the section on control is to bring together all the earlier work on the description of infectious agents and to introduce the concepts of prevention of disease by general methods such as barrier maintenance, isolation and disinfection. The value of vaccination of individuals and populations in disease control in a veterinary context is discussed. The idea of antimicrobial treatment in prophylaxis, disease eradication and in treatment is discussed. Finally, the design of national, farm or individual household disease control programmes is given.

Student objectives

  1. To be able to define the principle terms used in epidemiology. To understand the several ways in which epidemiological data are collected and appreciate the relevance of each method.
  2. To know the principal methods of spread of infectious disease between individuals, between generations of animals and between populations of animals on a local, national and international basis.
  3. To know how infectious agents may persist in a population of carrier animals, in the environment and in vectors and to understand the importance of such survival.
  4. To understand the reasons why some diseases are classed as notifiable and to be able to give examples of how such diseases may be controlled.
  5. To understand the ways in which the cycle of infection can be broken in order to control or eradicate infectious disease.
  6. To understand the ways in which antimicrobials can contribute to the control of infectious disease through treatment, prophylaxis and in eradication programmes.
  7. To understand the importance of isolation and barrier maintenance in the control of infectious disease and to be aware of the importance of specific pathogen free status of individual herds and the National Herd.
  8. To know the principles behind the control of animal disease at a UK and EU level and to know of examples of the successful control and eradication campaigns carried out in the UK and EU on Notifiable Diseases.

Section 4:Veterinary Public Health, Module 1

Outline of the course

This module comprises an intensive short course that emphasises the importance of veterinary public health and draws together information presented at other stages of the curriculum, particularly in the earlier parts of the Veterinary Microbiology course and in the Veterinary Pathology and Veterinary Parasitology courses. It is composed of twelve hours of illustrated lectures and a "syndicate" session where individual topics and problems are discussed in small groups and then presented to all participating staff and students for general discussion.

Course aims

  1. To demonstrate the importance of the role of the veterinarian in safeguarding public health.
  2. To consolidate previous elements in the curriculum relating to public health.
  3. To promote the consideration of public health aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of disease in animals.

Student objectives

  1. Understand the role and organisation of medical and environmental health agencies.
  2. Appreciate the ethical and legal obligations of the veterinary profession in relation to public health.
  3. Have a working knowledge of the control of zoonotic disease.
  4. Understand the principles of food and water safety and the conflicts which can arise between maximising production and maintaining safety.
  5. Understand the importance of food and water borne disease in man and animals.
  6. Know the main stages in food production and the possible sources of contamination.
  7. Appreciate the role of all branches of the veterinary profession in the production of foods of animal origin.
  8. Be aware of the causes and effects of drug residues and environmental contaminants in relation to public health.
  9. Be aware of the complexities of the legislation relevant to public health and know where to get additional information.
  10. Give soundly based advice when presented with a problem related to veterinary public health.

6.Course Texts, FURTHER Reading AND MOODLE

Recommended Textbook

The following textbook is recommended:

Concise Review Of Veterinary Microbiology. Quinn, P. et al. 2003. Blackwell Scientific ISBN: 1405108983

Details of other useful texts are given on the Microbiology Moodle site (see below)

Moodle

Moodle is the University's centrally supported Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The Faculty Moodle site can be accessed from on- or off-campus at:

Users should log in with their Novell username and password. After a successful login you will be asked to update your profile.

Once you have logged on, you will be able to access individual courses within Moodle, as well as general information, and information relating to EMS, summer vacation scholarships, and career opportunities. Many of the courses require a one-time enrolment key. The enrolment key for Microbiology is VETMICRO3.. Within individual courses, you will find links to lecture notes and presentations, past papers, timetables, and links to relevant websites that have been reviewed by your tutors. Throughout the year your tutors may also add additional Moodle ‘activities’ such as self-test material, assignments, surveys and discussion forums.

Within ‘General resources and links for students’, you will find links to courses designed to help you start using Moodle.

Moodle replaces the Student Web Server, a 2004-5 archive version of which is still available on- or off-campus at:

You will need to username 'vetstudent' and the password 'jamesherriot' to access this.

7.Teaching hours AND TEACHING METHODS

Section / Lectures / Practicals, demonstrations, tutorials
Student hours / Staff hours / Student hours / Staff hours
Bacteriology / 21 / 21 / 14.25 / 29.5
Virology / 21 / 21 / 4.5 / 19.5
Epidemiology and Control / 7.5 / 7.5 / 5 / 5
Veterinary Public Health (Module 1) / 9 / 9 / 3 / 18
Total / 58.5 / 58.5 / 26.75 / 72

A variety of teaching formats is used. Technical aspects of each area are explained in practical classes and demonstrations. During the course, problem-solving exercises are set at the end of some sections for individual home study or may be given as group exercises in class. Some of these exercises may require reference to material in publications and all will require integration of information from different areas of the course or between courses.

All staff are not routinely made aware of Students with Disabilities. This information is considered confidential unless such a person agrees to complete disclosure. Consequently, the onus is on you to make individual staff aware of special needs you may have that impact on a particular method of teaching; staff will attempt to make reasonable adjustments. E.g. you may have a degree of red-green colour blindness and have difficulty distinguishing certain tissues or cells during microscopy.