Part I: General Bacteriology (13 h.)

Lectures/ hour(s)

Learning objectives

Classification and Grouping of bacteria/ 1

• identify the various taxonomic model
• determine the main step of bacterial taxonomy
• clarify the various groups of bacteria
• determine the main phonetic and genetic techniques used for classification

Bacterial Cytology/ 2

(Bacterial cell structure)

• State and identify the basic structure of bacterial cells.
• Clarify the functions of these structures.
• Explain the differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells.
• Recognize the importance of this structure as virulence factors and for different lab diagnostic procedures.

Growth of bacteria & Cultivation/ 1

• Define the generation time for  bacterial growth based on binary fission
• Describe and draw bacterial growth curve
• Explain several laboratory methods used to determine viable and total cell counts in bacterial  populations undergoing exponential growth

Nutritional requirements of microorganisms/ 1

• 1-define  microbial nutrition
• 2- determine the types of nutrients
• 3- classify the microorganisms depend on the types of  nutrition
• 4-discuss the importance of each nutrients in the living of microorganisms
• 5- clarify physicochemical factors affecting on microorganisms life

Microbial Metabolism:

Principles, Regulation & Applications/ 2

• define microbial metabolism
• discuss the importance of transport systems in bacterial cell
• determine the main metabolic pathways
• clarify the importance of metabolism in microbial life and in the diagnosis of infectious diseases
• discuss the controlling on metabolic pathways
• how to detect microbial metabolism

Pathogenesis of bacterial infections & Germ theory of diseases/ 1

• Basic terms frequently used in describing aspects of pathogenesis
• normal flora
• Koch´s postulates     (GERM THEORY)
  Virulence Factors of Infectious Disease

Microbial genetics/ 2

- Lecture #1

• Describe the general properties of DNA & RNA and its molecular aspect as well as their replication process.
• Discuss the mutation and the mechanism of repair.
• Assign a practical exercise.

-Lecture #2

• Describe the Mechanisms of Gene Transfer
•  Discuss the General Properties of Operon
•  Assign a practical exercise.

Sterilization & Disinfectants/1

• Define the terms –sterilization, disinfection and antisepsis
• Describe various agents used in sterilization
• Describe the different heat methods
• Discuss types of radiations
• Give the mechanisms of action for each type of chemical agents commonly used in antisepsis and disinfectants.
• Describe filtration- uses and types 

Antimicrobial Chemotherapy & Resistance/ 2

• To understand how antibiotics work
• To review how drug resistance develops in bacteria
• To summarize current status of antimicrobial resistance in selected bacteria
• To understand how resistant organisms are detected in the clinical laboratory

Part II: Systemic Medical Bacteriology/ 22 hours

Lectures/ hour(s)

Learning objectives

Gram positive cocci:

Staphylococcus, Streptococcus & Enterococcus/ 3

-What is staphylococci?
-What are diseases that causing?  How?
-Who can diagnose in laboratory?
-Who can differentiate from closely related species?
-How can classify the streptococci?

-what are diseases that causing? How?

-Who can diagnose in laboratory?

-Who can differentiate from closely related species?

Spore-forming Gram positive bacilli

(aerobic & anaerobic): Bacillus & Clostridium/ 2

Aerobic Bacilli

(Bacillus Species):

• Recognize the pathogenic species of Bacillus.
• Specify the characteristic feature and virulence mechanism.
• Specify the infections, methods of transmission and prevention of infections
• Describe the methods for lab. Diagnosis.

Anaerobic Bacteria

 (Clostridium botulinum &

Clos. tetani):

• Determine the characteristic features of Clostridium spp.
• Recognize the pathogenic species.
• Distinguish the virulence mechanism to cause infections.
• Specify the infections, methods of transmission and prevention of infections
• Describe the methods for lab. Diagnosis.

Clostridium pefringens & Clos. Difficile:

• Recognize the invasive clostridia species.
• Distinguish the virulence mechanism. 
• Specify the infections, methods of transmission and prevention of infections 
• Describe the methods for lab. Diagnosis.

Non spore forming Gr+ve & -ve bacilli: Propionibacterium & Lesteria Corynebacterium & related sp./ 1

• Distinguish the pathogenic members.
• Know the virulence factors and mechanism to cause infections.
• Specify the infections that caused by these bacteria.
• Specify the methods of transmission and prevention of infections
• Describe the methods for lab. Diagnosis.

Mycobacterium/ 2

• To understand the general characteristics of Mycobateria
• To review the classification, and important mycobacteria
• To understand Pathogenesis & Immunity
• To summarize Mycobacteria Diagnosis

Enteric Gr-ve rodes: Enterobacteriaceae

E.coli , Klebsiella , Proteus , Pseudomonas, Yersinia

,Acinetobacter, Shigella ,  Salmonella & others/ 4

• Describe the general properties and categorization of bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae

• Discuss the pathogenicity, virulence, and laboratory diagnosis of diseases caused by Escherichia, Salmonella, Shigella & others
•  Assign member of this family for the practical exercise.

•  At the end of the lecture, students should be able to:

• Describe the general morphological features and classification of the bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae
•  Describe the pathogenicity, virulence and laboratory diagnosis of diseases caused by Escherichia, Salmonella, Shigella & others
• Complete the assignment suggested by the facilitator.

Vibrio , Aeromonas , plesiomonas/ 1

• Describe morphology, culture characteristics and biochemical reactions of Vibrio cholerae
• Discuss antigenic structure of  Vibrio cholerae
• Describe the following pathogenesis of cholera : mechanism of action of cholera toxins
• Differentiate between classical and EI Tor vibrio
• Discuss laboratory diagnosis of cholera
• Describe morphology, culture characteristics and biochemical reactions of Aeromonas , plesiomonas

Campylobacter , Helicobacter/ 1

• Describe morphology, culture characteristics and biochemical reactions of Campylobacter.
• Discuss morphology, culture characteristics and biochemical reactions of  Helicobacter
• Discuss laboratory diagnosis of  Helicobacter pylori infections.

Mycoplasma/ 1

• Describe the general characteristics of the Mycoplasma spp.
• Compare the clinical diseases caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis.
• Analyze the diagnostic methods appropriate for detection of mycoplasma infections.
• Discuss the use of serologic tests for diagnosis pneumonia

Rickettsial diseases/ 2

• Describe diseases caused by different rickettsia
• discuss the laboratory diagnosis of rickettsial infections
• Describe the well-felix reaction
• Discuss Q fever, trench fever and oroya fever.

Francisella,     Pasteurella, Haemophilus, Bordetella and Brucella/ 2

Haemophillus and Bordetelle:

• Describe the Gram-negative rods related to Respiratory infections.

• Specify the pathogenic factors of the organisms
• Specify the infections, methods of transmission and prevention of infections
• Describe the methods for lab. Diagnosis.

Legionella, Brucella & Unusual Pathogens:

• Describe the Gram negative rods related to Respiratory infections and zoonosis
• Distinguish infections that caused by these bacteria.
• Specify the infections, methods of transmission and prevention of infections
• Describe the methods for lab. Diagnosis.

Legionella & unusual bacterial pathogens/ 1

• Describe the Gram negative rods related to Respiratory infections and zoonosis
• Distinguish infections that caused by these bacteria.
• Specify the infections, methods of transmission and prevention of infections
• Describe the methods for lab. Diagnosis.-

Spirochaetes & spiral bacteria , Neisseria , Chlamydia (STD pathogens)/ 2

• To identify the causative agents of STD
• To understand the general characteristics of causative bacteria
• To learn about the diagnostic steps of STD 

Part III: General Virology/ 4 hours

Lectures/ hour(s)

Learning objectives

General properties & Classification of viruses , cultivation ,Replication of viruses/ 1

• Discuss How viruses had been discovered
• Identify the general properties of the virus
• State and identify the basic structure of viruses
• Clarify the types and method of classification and nomenclature
• Recognize main differences between viruses and bacteria
• State the steps of life cycle ( replication 

Natural history & mode of transmission Pathogenesis & control of viral diseases/ 1

• Define the pathogenicity of the virus
• Specify the different steps in viral infection
• The cellular damages due to viruses
• Mechanisms of viral persistency

• How viruses are controlled
•  Identify Control measures for viruses.
• Obstacles to the control of viruses
• Ways to improve the control of viruses

Host responses to viral infections/ 1

• Viral Evasion of Host Defense Mechanism

Prevention & treatment of viral diseases/ 1

• How viruses are controlled
•  Identify Control measures for viruses.
• Obstacles to the control of viruses
• Ways to improve the control of viruses -

Part IV: Systemic Medical Virology/ 15 hours

Lectures/ hour(s)

Learning objectives

Parvovirus/ 1

• Recognize the main clinical syndrome caused by the virus
• Understand pathogenesis and diagnosis

Adenovirus & Poxvirus/ 1

• Clarify the structure of adenovirus and pox virus
• Recognize the types of diseases associated with different serotypes of adenovirus, and the type of vaccine available.
• Identify the stages of skin rash associated with pox virus

Herpes viruses :

HSV-1 , HSV-2 , V2V , CMV , EBV/ 2

•  PROPERTIES OF HERPESVIRUSES
• Basis for CLASSIFICATION
• Steps of Herpesvirus Replication
• What is the meaning of Latency
• Clinical Syndromes by alpha beta and gamma subfamilies

Orthomyxoviruses/ Orthomyxoviruses/ 1

• To study the general features of viruses belong this family.
• To clarify the types of genetic changes of influenza viruses.
• To determine the role of genetic changes in the evolution of influenza viruses.
• To identify the natural hosts of each type of influenza viruses.

Paramyxovirus & Rubella viruses/ 1

• Describe the structure of Paramyxoviruses and rubella virus.
• Identify the diseases associated with each virus.
• Know some notes about each virus.
• Discuss the importance of rubella virus infection during pregnancy
• Clarify congenital rubella syndrome 

Picornaviruses/ 1

• Know the structure of these viruses
• Definition of poliomyelitis, clinical presentation, and preventive measures.
• The diseases associated with each virus within picornaviridae family.
•  

Viral hepatitis/ 2

• To identify the virus family of each type of viral hepatitis.
• To study the general feature of viruses belong these families.
• To identify the serological markers that are useful for laboratory diagnosis.

Viral gastroenteritis/ 1

• To identify the virus family of each type of viral gastroenteritis
• To study the general features of viruses belong to these families
• To discuss the laboratory diagnosis of each type of viral gastroenteritis

Rhabdovirus & Rabies/ 1

• To study the general features of viruses belong this family.
• To identify the main hosts of rabies virus.
• To clarify the control of rabies infection

Arbovirus/ 1

• Define the main groups of the arboviruses
• Define the main clinical diseases caused by each group
• Understand the mode of transmission

Oncogenic viruses/ 1

• Enumerate the proven oncogenic viruses and the malignancy caused by them
• Understand the main mechanism of carcinogenesis for each
•  

Retroviruses & HIV infection/ 1

• Define the main groups of the arboviruses
• Define the main clinical diseases caused by each group
• Understand the mode of transmission

Corona virus/ Corona virus/ 1

• To study the general features of viruses belong this family.
• To determine the types of coronaviruses.
• To make a comparison between COVID-19 and seasonal coronavirus infection.
• To determine the role of genetic changes in the evolution of coronaviruses.

Part V: Basic & Clinical Immunology/ 17 hours

Lectures/ hour(s)

Learning objectives

Basic immunology

Basis of body defense: specific & non- specific/ 1

• Mention the components & barrier of innate immunity  
• Define phagocytosis, enumerate phagocytic cells, process of      phagocytosis.
• Types of the adaptive immune response.        
• Distinguish between innate and acquired immunity. 
• Differentiate between active & passive immunity.
• The features of immunogen                                                                           

Immune responses/ 2

• Basic roles of immune system
• Dealing with bacteria and viruses in the extracellular space
• Dealing with intracellular pathogens
• How does the immune system being alert to the presence of infectious

           Agents inside the cells?

• The two pathways linking innate & adaptive (acquired) immune responses  

Humoral immunity/ 1

• Identify B CELLS origin
• Discuss the clonal selection
• How do antibodies arise?
• Effector Functions of B Cells/ Plasma Cells

Cell mediated immunity/ 2

• Identify The constituents of CMI- system including many cell types
• Specify the types of T cell receptors and their functions
• Describe Maturation of T Lymphocyte in the thymus and thymic education
• Describe the methods for lab. Diagnosis.

The complement system/ 1

• Define the Complement System
• Mention the three pathways of Complement System
• Illustrate the initiators and initiation steps of each pathway   
• Explain steps of complement activation                                        
• Mention the biological activities of complement system           
• Acute phase proteins in response to infection   

Antigen-antibody reactions/ 1

• Introduction about Ag-Ab interactions
• Affinity & Avidity                                                                              *Primary interactions between Ag &Ab                                               *Secondary interactions between Ag &Ab                                             
• Immunoassays                                                                                             

MHC: structure & diseases/ 1

• Clarify what’s MHC
• Types Of MHC
• Functions of Major Histocompatibility Complex
• What is HLA matching?

Clinical immunology

Transplantation immunology/ 1

• The objective of studying transplantation immunology is to prevent graft rejection between genetically non-identical individuals
•   History of transplantation
• What are the key to successful transplantation
• Types of Graft

Complication and time of occurrence

Hypersensitivity reactions/ 2

Lecture 1:

• Hypersensitivity, how does it differ from normal immune response?                      Classification of hypersensitivity reactions                                                                   Type I hypersensitivity: Immediate type (IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation) 
• Type II hypersensitivity: Ab-mediated cytotoxicity                                                         Lecture 2:
• Type III hypersensitivity-immune complex-mediated                                                        Mechanisms leading to acute inflammatory reactions                                                         Factors influence the tendency of immune complexes to develop disease                    
• The important role of RBCs in clearance of immune complexes                                        Locally formed immune complexes                                                                                         
• Circulating immune complexes (systemic)                                                                              
• Example of immune complex Hypersensitivity caused by viral infection                       
• Type IV hypersensitivity: Cell-mediated (delayed-type)                                                      
• Hypersensitivity Type V: Stimulatory hypersensitivity                                                        
• Innate hypersensitivity reactions                                                                                               

Tolerance & Autoimmunity/ 2

• Define Tolerance
• Understanding central & peripheral tolerance  for T and B cells
• Determinants for induction and maintaining of tolerance
• Define autoimmune diseases, the predisposing factors and mechanisms of development

Immunodeficiency diseases/ 1

• Definition of immunodeficiency                                                                         
• Deficiencies of pattern recognition receptor (PRRs) signaling                     
• Phagocytic cell defects                                                                                          
• Primary immunodeficiency affecting other cells of innate response         
• Complement system deficiencies                                                                       
• Cytokines & cytokine receptor deficiencies                                                      
• Examples of congenital immunodeficiency                                                       
• Secondary (Acquired immunodeficiency)                                                          
• Laboratory investigation of immunodeficiency                                             

Tumor immunity/ 1

• Describe the IMMUNE surveillance AGAINST TUMORS
•  Categories of Tumor Antigens 
• Immune Response to Tumor
• Immunological Escape of the tumor cells

Immunity against infections/ 1

• Describe IMMUNITY IN PARASITIC INFECTIONS  with Effector Mechanisms
• Evasion of Immune Mechanisms by Parasites
• IMMUNITY IN VIRAL INFECTION
• Viral Evasion of Host Defense Mechanism
• IMMUNITY IN BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
• Specific Immune Responses to Fungi

Part VI: Medical Mycology/ 4 hours

Lectures/ hour(s)

Learning objectives

Structure, classification, superficial mycosis , subcutaneous mycosis

systemic mycosis and opportunistic fungi/ 2

Structure and classification:

• State and identify the basic structure of fungal cells.
• Clarify the functions of these structures.
• Explain the differences between bacterial and fungal cell.
• State the methods of fungal classification of medical fungi

Superficial mycosis

Subcutaneous mycoses:

• Recognize the pathogenic species of these fungi
• Specify the characteristic feature and virulence mechanism.
• Specify the infections, methods of transmission and prevention of infections
• Describe the methods for lab. Diagnosis.

Systemic mycosis and opportunistic fungi/ 2

• To identify the causative fungi of Systemic mycosis and opportunistic fungi
• To understand the pathogenesis of fungal infection
• To learn about laboratory diagnosis of fungal infection

Parasitology Syllabus

Part I: Medical Protozoology (22 h.)

Lectures/ hour(s)

Learning objectives

General Introduction/ 3

1-Amebae of man/ 4

Entamoeba histolytica and amoebiasis Entamoeba coli

Entamoeba gingivalis Entamoeba hartmanni Endolimax nana Iodamoeba butschlii

Acanthamoeba spp.& Naegleria fowleri

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

2-Flagellates/ 2

A- Intestinal , oral and urogenatal flagellates

Giardia Iamblia Dientamoeba fragilis Trichomonas tenax Trichomonas vaginalis

Chilomastix mesnili and othre intestinal flagellates BIastocystis hominis

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

B- Blood and tissue flagellates/ 5

Leishmania tropica complex

L. major complex

Leishmania  donovani complex

Leishmania  braziliensis complex

L. Mexicana complex

Trypanosoma rhodesiense

T. gambiense

T. cruzi

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

3-Ciliate/  1

Balantidium coli

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

4-SPOROZOA/ 4

a-  Malarial Parasites:

plasmodium vivax

plasmodium malariae

plasmodium falciparum

plasmodium ovale

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

b-Toxoplasma , Isospora , Sarcocystis , Cryptosporidium and Microsporidium/ 3

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

Part I: Medical Helminthology (28 h.)

Lectures/ hour(s)

Learning objectives

Introduction/ 1

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

1- Cestodes/ 5

General consideration

Taenia saginata

Taenia solium and cysticercosis Echinococcus and hydatid disease Diphyllobothrium and sparganosis Dipylidiumcaninum latum Hymenolepis nana

Hymenolepis diminuta

Multiceps multiceps

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

The common parasites in Iraq (review)/ 1

The common parasites in Iraq (review)

2. Trematodes (flukes)/ 5

General consideration

1. 1. Fasciola hepatica & F. gigantica
   2. Clonorchi            ssinensisand Opisthorchis felineus
   3. Intestinal and Lung flukes

d- Schistosoma haematobium e- Schistosoma mansoni

  f- Schistopsoma japonicum

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

3-Nematodes/ 10

General consideration

a-Ascaris lumbrcoides

b- Enterobius vermicularis c- Trichuris trichiura

4. Trichostrongylus
5. Strongloides stercoralis f- Ancylostoma duodenale g-Necator americanus

h- Cutaneous and visceral larva migrans

i -Trichinella spiralis

j –The filariae:

1. Wuchereria bancrofti
2. Onchocerca volvulus
3. Loa loa

k- Drancuncolus medinensis

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.

Medical Entomology/ 6

• Geographical distribution.
• Morphology, biology and life cycle.
• Pathogenesis and symptomatology.
• Treatment.
• Epidemiology.
• Control.
• Diagnosis.