BI2BI45: Infectious Diseases

Module code: BI2BI45

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Geraldine Mulley, email: g.mulley@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Aidan J Taylor, email: a.j.taylor@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BI1S1 AND TAKE BI1BAC2 (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Newly evolved viruses, antibiotic resistant bacteria and ineffective malaria drugs continue to cause problems in our fight to control infectious disease.  In this module you will initially study viruses of global significance (including Ebola and Coronaviruses), their transmission, detection and how understanding their different replication strategies helps to develop therapies and prevention methods. This is followed by a tour of bacteria, fungi and protists of clinical significance in the UK, causing for example respiratory infection, meningitis, sepsis, sexually transmitted disease, food poisoning, skin infections and malaria. Influence of the human microbiome, how synthesis of unique microbial structures are targeted by antibiotics and the problem of resistance are addressed. Your knowledge of microbiology in the hospital and community will be enhanced through practicals where you ‘Identify the culprit’.

The module aims to provide:

• Knowledge and understanding of infectious microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists) their life cycles, transmission and the consequences of infection
• Understanding of the replication of Baltimore groups of viruses, and detailed knowledge of selected examples of global significance
• Overview of bacteria and eukaryotic microbes of importance in the hospital and community, with detail of important examples
• Knowledge and understanding of the principle of processes targeted by antibiotics, anti-viral, anti-fungal and antimalarial drugs currently available and the problems of resistance
• A working knowledge of current bacterial and virological techniques applied to clinical samples including organism detection, quantitation, isolation and identification

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Provide examples of infectious bacteria, fungi, protists and viruses, the disease they cause and be able to discuss aspects of epidemiology and practice in public health microbiology relating to these micro-organisms
2. Describe the structure and replication of the main virus groups classified according to Baltimore classification and discuss, with examples, how knowledge of viral replication has been applied to development of anti-viral drugs and describe how to isolate, propagate and quantify human viruses
3. Describe the mechanism of action of antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs and discuss the significance of targeting unique components of each. Discuss problems of antimicrobial drug resistance and describe examples of mechanisms of resistance
4. Discuss ways to reduce the threat of newly evolved microbes, such as the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that emerged in 2019 and E. coli O104:H4
5. Describe the principles and procedures for traditional and newer methods for detection, isolation, identification and subtyping bacteria and viruses. Be competent in practical skills used in the isolation and identification of medically important bacteria as well as the application of EUCAST approved antibiotic resistance testing. Be able to describe the work of hospital laboratories and other sites where medical microbiology is carried out

Module content

This module begins in Semester 1 focusing on Virology. Lectures start with bacteriophage and the mechanism of their multiplication before considering viruses of man and animals, factors influencing their transmission and detection, replication and specific drug targets. As lectures progress to consider some major Baltimore groups of virus, their replication and associated disease, many viruses of major International significance are discussed, such as poliovirus; coronaviruses including SARS-CoV and MERS; Mononegavirales including Ebola, rabies and measles viruses, insect borne arboviruses including yellow fever virus and dengue virus; variola virus (smallpox) and the retrovirus HIV.  Semester 1 laboratory classes provide a thorough grounding in core virological techniques including virus isolation, amplification and quantification. This culminates in a large group experiment to recreate the seminal one step growth curve experiment performed by Ellis and Delbrück.  

In Semester 2 the module continues with a focus on the clinical significance of infectious microbes and prevention of disease, many of particular relevance in the UK. The normal bacterial microflora (microbiome) and associated pathogens together with importance of the balance of health and infectious disease are addressed with particular emphasis on the gut microflora.  Pathogens typically associated with different clinical diseases, (respiratory, meningitis, septic shock, cellulitis, genito-urinary tract infections and gastroenteritis) are covered.  Lectures on traditional and newer methods of isolation and identification of ‘the microbial culprit’ complement practical classes and there is a strong focus on antibiotics – mechanisms of action and the problem of resistance. Examples of eukaryotic pathogens (fungal, protists including the malaria parasite) and treatment of disease are also covered. A lecture from staff at Public Health England (PHE) gives an insight into their work on emerging dangerous pathogens and information from Thames Water extends understanding of applications of clinical microbiology in the community.  In Semester 2 practicals, students work individually to isolate and identify the culprit microbe in several simulated disease scenarios and test antibiotic sensitivity. As well as putting into practice theory from lectures, practicals reinforce aseptic technique and encourage advanced planning and accurate record keeping. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, practicals (supported by online videos, demonstrations and problem solving exercises).  

Study hours

At least 66 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs