Program Overview

BMS438 Clinical Bacteriology

This subject provides an overview of infectious bacteria, their collection, detection, and diagnosis of infection. In-depth studies of the infectious bacteria of selected organ systems are conducted. Practical sessions and case studies simulate 'real life' medical situations, with an emphasis on laboratory diagnostic techniques utilised in the diagnosis and identification of the aetiological agents of infection.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Biomedical Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Restricted to students enrolled in the BSc Forensic Biotechnology program and postgraduate students only.

Subject Relationships

BMS338 This is a paired subject with BMS338

Incompatible Subjects

BMS338

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the basic taxonomy of medically significant bacterial agents and its relationship to diagnosis;
• be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the underlying principles of bacterial genetics with emphasis on antibiotic resistance and spread;
• be able to describe in detail the principles behind antibacterial chemotherapies;
• be able to identify the kinds of bacteria that cause disease;
• be able to describe in detail the principles of diagnosis, specimen collection and specimen quality;
• be able to competently perform microbiological techniques for diagnosis of infection; and
• be able to describe at length the causative bacterial pathogens, pathogenesis, epidemiology and clinical signs of diseases affecting the urinary tract, the integument and haematopoietic system, the digestive tract, the respiratory tract, the eye, sexually transmitted diseases, obstetric and perinatal infections, vector borne infections, multisystem zoonoses and the immunocompromised host.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• The Bacteria
  • The bionomical system of classification.
  • Cellular organisation and properties of bacteria.
  • Bacterial genetics
  • Antibacterial chemotherapies.
  • Principles of diagnostic bacteriology
  • Specimen collection, transport and processing
  • Principles behind the diagnosis of infections
• Body systems approach to infection
  • Infections of the skin, muscle, joints, bone and haemopoietic system.
  • Infections of the eye
  • Gastrointestinal infections
  • Upper respiratory tract and ear infections
  • Lower respiratory tract infections
  • Infections of the central nervous system
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Obstetric and perinatal infections
  • Vector borne infections and multisystem zoonoses
  • Infections of the immunocompromised host

Residential School

This subject contains a 4 day Compulsory Residential School. Practical work undertaken in the Residential School provides hands-on experience of diagnostic laboratory based testing via a number of case studies and commonly used bacterial pathology laboratory techniques. Residential schools will be offered from both the Wagga Wagga and Burlington Campuses (in collaboration with partner institutions in Canada).