In order to pass the course, the student must have active participation in lectures and exercises. A prerequisite for passing the examination is the preparation and defense of a seminar paper on a topic assigned by the supervisor (in the range A-E), which is the result of self-study. The examination is awarded on the basis of an assessment of the knowledge acquired (in the A-E range).

The graduate of the course will acquire the latest knowledge about important bacterial pathogens of humans and animals and will also get acquainted with medically important representatives of microscopic fungi. The student will learn scientific methods and working procedures in the study of their pathogenicity and virulence factors and the mechanism (pathogenesis) of infection, especially in the case of pathogens of diseases transmissible from animals to humans. They will learn about the mechanisms of horizontal transmission of genetic information and the threat posed by the increase of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains in human and veterinary medicine. Gain insight into the causative agents of new and re-emerging bacterial infections and the risks posed by the misuse of bacterial pathogens in bioterrorism. The learning outcomes are verified by the preparation of a seminar paper, its defence and a final examination.

Introduction to bacterial taxonomy. Why are we no longer satisfied with phenotypic criteria alone in bacterial systematics? Factors of bacterial pathogenicity and virulence. Mechanisms of bacterial infection. Why can even saprophytic bacterial species be important pathogens? Antibiotic resistance - putative causes and real threats in human and veterinary medicine. Bacteria without a cell wall - Mollicutes. Obligate intracellular pathogens. Bacterial pathogens with zoonotic potential. Microscopic fungi. Agents of new and re-emerging bacterial infections. Bacteria as part of a biological threat. At the same time, the possibilities of studying health-promoting bacteria or their communities. Challenges of the third golden age of microbiology.

Austin B. and Austin D.A.: Bacterial Fish Pathogens. Disease of Farmed and Wild Fish. Springer. Fifth edition, 2012.

Brenda W.A. et al: Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Molecular Approach. Fourth Edition. American Society for Microbiology, 2019.

Hubálek Z. and Rudolf I.: Microbial Zoonoses and Sapronoses. Springer, 2010.

Johnson D.I.: Bacterial pathogens and their virulence factors. First edition. Springer, 2018.

Markey B. et al.: Clinical Veterinary Microbiology. Second edition. MOSBY Elsevier, 2013.

McVey S.D. et al.: Veterinary Microbiology. Third edition. Wiley-Blackwell, 2013.

Murray P.R. et al.: Medical Microbiology. First edition. Elsevier Books, 2020.

Pilipčinec E. et al: Gram-negative bacteria. 1st ed. Košice: UVLF, 2018. ISBN 978-80-8077-571-1.

Pilipčinec E. et al.: Selected chapters in special bacteriology for pharmacists. Gram-negative bacteria. 1st edition. Košice: UVLF, 2018. ISBN 978-80-8077-572-8.

Pilipčinec E. et al: Gram-positive bacteria. 1st ed. Košice: UVLF, 2019. ISBN 978-80-8077-632-9.

Pilipčinec E. et al.: Selected chapters in special bacteriology for pharmacists. Gram-positive bacteria. 1st ed. Košice: UVLF, 2019. ISBN 978-80-8077-633-6.

Quinn P. J. et al.: Veterinary Microbiology and Microbial Disease. Second edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.

Rani R.R. et al.: Biofilm-Mediated Diseases: Causes and Controls. Springer. 2021.

Conditions for completion of course:

In order to pass the course, the student must have active participation in lectures and exercises. A prerequisite for passing the examination is the preparation and defense of a seminar paper on a topic assigned by the supervisor (in the range A-E), which is the result of self-study. The examination is awarded on the basis of an assessment of the knowledge acquired (in the A-E range).