Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Infectology and Laboratory Medicine
Course Code
IK_002
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Medicine
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Ludmila Vīksna
Structure Unit Manager
Ludmila Vīksna
Structural Unit
Department of Infectology
Contacts
Riga, 3 Linezera Street, idk@rsu.lv, +371 67014777
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the study course is to promote the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge about the laboratory diagnosis of disease, also infections, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, approaches to treatment, the possibilities of specific and etiological therapy, as well as the epidemiology of infectious diseases and their impact on the quality of life of an individual and public health.
Preliminary Knowledge
Physics, anatomy, biochemistry, biology, parasitology, normal and pathological physiology, microbiology, immunology, propaedeutics, internal diseases and pharmacology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students will be able to describe the tasks and importance of laboratory medicine in the diagnosis of diseases and assessment of the course of the disease both in relation to the etiological factor, pathogenesis and clinical manifestations; promote understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of biosecurity; students will be able to characterize and classify infectious diseases according to their etiological factor, relationship with pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, possibility of transmission and danger to individual and public health; will describe and identify specific, typical, pathogenetic and other symptoms; will explain the investigation plan and systematize laboratory methods; will formulate and explain the general principles of therapy; will relate the stages of the health care plan to individualized health care; will explain the principles of modern specific prevention, applying them to both society and the individual.
Skills
1.Will be able to create a plan for medical activities aimed at laboratory and other types of diagnosis of an individual's disease; specific, etiological and other types of treatment; will be able to implement the prepared plan, taking into account epidemiological, life and disease anamnesis, laboratory examination and other data; will be able to evaluate the data obtained as a result of the physical examination; will be able to integrate laboratory examinations into the design of disease diagnostics; to plan the specific and non-specific preventive measures necessary to limit the spread of the disease.
Competences
1.Apply the knowledge of the basics of factology, argumentation, logic and rhetoric in order to analyze permissible and detectable situations in theoretical and practical infectology, discuss, justify and explain one's opinion and constructively promote the achievement of professional goals and the performance of specific tasks in ensuring individual and public health; when dealing with patients, relatives of patients and colleagues from other specialties, communicate successfully in the fields of prevention, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases; to cooperate professionally with patients, relatives of patients, colleagues in a respectful atmosphere, observing the normative basis binding on the medical field, ethical norms, respecting patients' rights and ensuring epidemiological safety; learn independently and constantly and know how to use the electronic environment for communication; demonstrate and improve oneself as a future medical practitioner and health promoter for the individual and society in the context of specific and non-specific prevention of infectious diseases.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
1. Preliminary preparation for each practical class (relevant topic); 2. Independent study report (the 7th semester); 3. Case report (the 8th semester). In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal. |
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Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
semester 7 |
-
|
Test
|
|
Independent work – a report, the evaluation criteria of which are as follows – the relevance of the content of the work to a chosen subject (25%), the work personally invested by the student (25%), the level of knowledge of the student (25%) assessed by discussing the work with the teaching staff and the presentation of the work (25%). Test in semester 7 – attendance of classes, assessment of independent work. Detailed rules can be seen in e-studies. |
||
|
2.
8th semester |
-
|
10 points
|
|
Clinical case – understanding of the terms of reference (25%), the set of data and facts used for diagnosis (laboratory analyses, instrumental examinations, history, including epidemiological, etc.) (25%), the logic of the justification for diagnosis and the extent of treatment of differential diagnoses (25%), therapeutic, preventive, etc. recommendations (25%). Procedure for the exam in the 8th semester - a test on the topic of lectures (10%), assessment of classes (20%), independent work (clinical case) (10%), written exam on all topics of the study course: theoretical question (30%) and interpretation of clinical case (30%). Detailed rules can be seen in e-studies. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Modern infectology: definitions, concepts, classification, principles of diagnostics, therapy and prevention.
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis: agents, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, principles of treatment and prevention, prognosis.
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Blood borne diseases.
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Parasitic infections: classification, variety of clinical course, diagnostics, approaches to therapy, prevention.
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
General epidemiology of infectious disease.
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Gastrointestinal infections
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to laboratory medicine. Types and characteristics of biomaterials. Choice of examination procedure and a short description of technologies used in laboratory. Phases of laboratory testing.
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Laboratory diagnosis of infections and infestations. Principles of choice of investigations and biomaterials and clinical interpretation of test results. Examination of environmental objects in the context of infectious diseases.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Immunology of infectious diseases: the immunological basis of acute and chronic processes and their use in the diagnosis of the disease.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Virus and bacterial acute respiratory infections – ethiology, clinical symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Fecal oral infections: bacterial, viral, parasitic: clinic, diagnosis, treatment, prevention.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Laboratory
|
4
|
Topics
|
Principles of choice/selection of examinations and biomaterials for intended/planned/anticipated result (diagnosis, disease). Basics of standardization of laboratory work, essence of medical laboratory accreditation. Biorisks.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 2
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Zoonoses, including ornithoses
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Biotherorism – role and place of infectious agents
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Laboratory diagnosis of heart and blood circulation, lymphatic, nervous, and endocrine system diseases. Laboratory diagnosis of immunological, hematological, oncological, and genetic diseases.
|
-
Video Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Laboratory diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and urinary tract, lungs, skin and its derivates, and reproductive system diseases.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Examination of patients with suspected tuberculosis (TB). TB diagnostic algorithm
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Viral hepatitis – VHA, VHB, VHC, VHD, VHE, etc. clinic, diagnosis, treatment, prevention
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
4
|
Topics
|
Hemorrhagic fevers – concept, classification, etiological groups, clinical presentation, diagnosis verification, principles of treatment.
Tropical infections. Ebola virus disease - simulation
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Healthcare-associated infections. Antimicrobial Resistance
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Specialized room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Interpretation of laboratory results and their significance in clinical practice
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Microbiological safety criteria of food products and environmental objects and organization of laboratory control as prevention of infectious diseases.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Maxine A. Papadakis, Stephen J. McPhee, Michael W. Rabow, Kenneth R. McQuaid, Monica Gandhi 2024. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment McGraw Hill.Suitable for English stream
2.
Ferri's. 2024. Clinical Advisor Elsevier. ClinicalKey. Iegūts no via: ClinicalKeySuitable for English stream
3.
Bennett J.E., Dolin R.l., Blaser Mandell M. J., Douglas, and Bennett's. 2020. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier. ClinicalKey. Iegūts no via: ClinicalKeySuitable for English stream
4.
Madhukar Pai, Marcel A. Behr, David Dowdy, et.al. 2016. Tuberculosis. Nature reviews. 27October. PubMed.Suitable for English stream
5.
CDC Yellow Book 2026: Health Information for International Travel.Suitable for English stream
6.
P.R. Murray, K.S. Rosental, M.A. Pfaller. 2025. Medical microbiology. ElsevierSuitable for English stream
7.
Richard A. McPherson, MSc and Matthew R. Pincus. 2023. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis And Management By Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Elsevier. ClinicalKey. Iegūts no via: ClinicalKeySuitable for English stream
8.
Principles of infectious disease epidemiology.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
HIV/AIDS quidelines 2022.Suitable for English stream
2.
EACS quidelines European AIDS clinical society 2021.Suitable for English stream
3.
Biorisk management. Laboratory biosecurity guidance. 2006. WHO WHO/CDS/EPR/2006.6.Suitable for English stream
4.
J. Michael Miller, Matthew J. Binnicker, Sheldon Campbell. 2018 A Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 2018 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society for Microbiology. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 67(6) PubMed.Suitable for English stream
5.
Guder W.G. 2015. Pre- Examination Procedures in Laboratory Diagnostics: preanalytical Aspects and Their Impact on the Quality of Medical Laboratory Results. De Gruyter. Proquest Ebook Central. Iegūts no via: Proquest Ebook CentralSuitable for English stream
6.
Kessel M. 2014 Neglected Diseases, Delinquent Diagnostics. Science Translational Medicine. 6(226) PubMed.Suitable for English stream
7.
Cilvēka imūndeficīta vīrusa (HIV) infekcijas diagnostikas, ārstēšanas un profilakses klīniskās vadlīnijas. 2014.
8.
Vīrushepatīta B diagnostikas un etiotropās ārstēšanas vadlīnijas. 2011.
9.
Laboratory quality management system: handbook. 2011. World Health Organization.Suitable for English stream
10.
Infectious Diseases Epiedmiology (Oxford Specialist Handbooks). 2016. Edited by Ibrahim Abubakar. Helen R. Stagg, Ted Cohen and Laura C Rodrigues. Print Publication Date: Apr. Published online: Jun 2016.Suitable for English stream
11.
Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook. Amy L. Leber. ASM Press, 2016, p. 2954Suitable for English stream
12.
Modern Infectious Disease Epidemiology. 2017. 3rd ed. Johan Giesecke. CRC Press. Published April 5. 248 Pages.Suitable for English stream
Other Information Sources
1.
Practical Laboratory Medicine. Journal, Co Editors-in-Chief: William Clarke, Mike J. Hallworth.Suitable for English stream
2.
IFCCSuitable for English stream
3.
The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine. The Official Publication of the Central Society for Clinical ResearchSuitable for English stream
4.
Journal of Cytology & Molecular Biology (JCMB)Suitable for English stream
5.
Laboratory Biosafety ManualSuitable for English stream
6.
WHO European Guidance on standards for infectious diseases laboratoriesSuitable for English stream
7.
Alert, response, and capacity building under the International Health Regulations (IHR)Suitable for English stream
8.
Laboratory Quality Stepwise Implementation toolSuitable for English stream
9.
Infectious diseases epidemiology.Suitable for English stream