KNUST COVID-19 AWARENESS
COVID-19: Caused by a virus known as Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Spreads very easily from
person to person.
Signs and symptoms: Fever or chills, cough, difficulty in
breathing, cold, headache, diarrhoea, loss of taste/smell, and
several non-specific symptoms.
Transmission: Respiratory droplets, airborne, contaminated
surfaces.
Prevention: Adhere to the KNUST COVID-19 safety protocols
• Respiratory hygiene: Wear a nose mask, cough etiquettes
• Hand hygiene: Frequent hand washing, hand sanitizing
• Maintain ‘safe’ physical distancing
• Avoid crowds and confined/poorly ventilated spaces
Virus is changing itself with even more serious ramifications, so it is
important we all adhere to the safety protocols
[Link]
Introduction to the Clinical
Microbiology Course
Objectives and Expectations
• Microbiology: the study of micro-organisms
• Medical Microbiology - ??
• Clinical Microbiology - ??
Clinical Microbiology
• Aetiology of infections
• Mode of spread
• Pathogenesis
• Laboratory diagnosis of infection
• Antimicrobial treatment of Infection
• Control and/or prevention of infection
• Immune response to infection
• Concept of normal flora / microbiota and
infection
•
• Pathogens and “passengers”
• Endogenous infection
• Exogenous infection
• Role of immune system in infection
Branches/units in Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Parasitology
• Virology
• Mycology
Course objectives
• By the end of the course, students will acquire
knowledge in Infectious Diseases including;
• the causative agents of infections
• How these infections arise - pathogenesis
• Laboratory diagnosis of infections including relevant
specimens to take for diagnosis
• Antimicrobial treatment and the rational use of
antimicrobials
• Control and prevention of infection
• How the body defends itself against infection /recovers
from infection
• Where/How does Microbiology fit within the
scheme of medical education?
• Knowledge of Clinical Microbiology would
help students in;
• The clinical practice of infection diagnosis and
treatment
• Understanding approaches to the control of
infections and limitations of these
approaches.
• Appreciating the problem of infections in
Ghana and beyond.
Teaching Programme
• Lectures (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Friday)
– Didactic
– Case studies
• Assignments
• Practicals (Friday)
Bacteriology, Virology,
Immunology
Prof. Y Adu-Sarkodie (YAS)
Prof Patrick Feglo
Bacteriology/Mycology
Dr Owusu-Ofori
Bacteriology
[Link] Gyan Boahene
Bacteriology
Dr. Anthony Basing
Bacteriology
Prof Alex Debrah
Parasitology
Dr (Mrs). Linda Batsa-
Debrah
Parasitology
Prof Mohammed Mutocheluh
Dr Patrick Narkwa Virology
Virology
• Technical Staff
Course Assessment
• Semester 1; Continuous assessment exam in
Bacteriology (Practicals, essays, case histories,
MCQs)
• Semester 2: Continuous assessment exams in
Virology and Parasitology – MCQs, essays, case
studies.
• End of Year exams; MCQs, Practical in Virology
and Parasitology, Viva
Final grading
• Attendance in class
• 30% continuous assessment
• 70% end of year exams
Learning resources
• Books
– Murray et al
– Jawetz et al
– Greenwood, Slack and Peutherer
– Sleigh and Timbury
– Others ( lecturers may recommend)
• OER (Open Education Resources) – case
studies series, laboratory methods
• Internet resources
Open Educational
Resources (OER) for
Clinical Microbiology
Electronic aids for better learning
Programs Available
• Cases in Microbiology
– Contents: Clinical cases with images to accompany
lectures during semester 1
• Laboratory Methods
– Contents:
• Videos of selected laboratory procedures
• Animations explaining the principle of certain
laboratory tests
• Tutorial on evaluating the value of diagnostic testing
• Have fun and enjoy the year!!
• Don’t leave it till too late
• Make use of your lecturers and tutors
• Class P ?
