MCB 4507C

VIROLOGY/MYCOLOGY/PARASITOLOGY

Summer, 2001

Unit Progression

Medical Virology

Medical Mycology

Medical Parasitology

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Medical Virology

  1. The Virology unit is web-based. If you plan to use your home computer to complete the unit, it is recommended that it have the following minimum configuration.

  2. The unit requires accessing web-sites around the world. Some web activities require specific hardware and software capability. To determine your computer's abilities to support the unit activities, you should conduct a browser test on your home computer by going to http://www.fgcu.edu/support/browser/.
  3. Microsoft Office is the standard software used in conjunction with this FGCU course.
  4. One of the primary ways to communicate with the instructor regarding the Virology unit is via email. When you registered for the Virology, Mycology, Parasitology course, an FGCU Student Email account was established for you. If you have not already activated your email account, instructions for doing so can be found at http://www.fgcu.edu/support/email.html.
  5. You may also contact Ms. Calvo by telephone, or meet with her during regularly scheduled class time or office hours.
  6. It is expected that you the student will take personal responsibility for developing the skills necessary to use basic computing applications. To assess your skills, take the self-assessment survey at http://condor.fgcu.edu/it/techskills/ .
  7. To assist you, each of the University's three public computing labs has student lab assistants who can answer questions when you are onsite. You may also call 941-590-7100 to make an appointment for personalized training.
  8. In addition, a tutorial site for student support is available at http://www.fgcu.edu/support. It includes self-assessment surveys, information you will need to activate your FGCU account, and tutorials for e-mail, web skills, library technology, and Microsoft Office products.
  9. The Virology unit is composed of two modules, each subdivided into sections. Each section is further divided into sectors: "Learning Arena(s)", "Study Time", and "Assignments". The main topic(s) of study is/are listed in "Learning Arena(s)". Readings, databases, pictures, and other learning materials are accessed via the links listed in each "Study Time" sector. Upon completion of "Study Time" activities, corresponding assignments should be done and returned to the instructor for grading. Quizzes are given following completion of Module 1 Section 1, Module 1 Section 2, and Module 2. When all assignments and quizzes are completed and graded, a final exam is taken. The exam is an open "Notebook" test. The notebook is the tangible product of your Virology unit learning experience. It is made by you and turned in for grading once the final exam has been taken. Proceed through the Virology unit sequentially according to the outline which follows:

Module 1: Basic Concepts of Virology

Section 1: General Properties

Learning Arenas

Section 2: Taxonomy

Module 2: Clinical Diagnosis of Viral Infection

Section 1: Safety Issues

Section 2: Laboratory Diagnosis

  1. To access the Virology unit, go to http://ruby.fgcu.edu/courses/ccalvo/50312/ .

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Medical Mycology

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Following the Modules outlined below, read the text chapters as indicated in one topic area at a time.

Review the Mycology slide atlas; Mycology colony atlas; Mycology structures and GermWare CD-Rom tutorial on the computers provided in the laboratory. If additional time is needed, the presentations can be checked out from the program executive secretary and viewed in the College of Health Professions or in the Computer Laboratory in Griffin Hall.

View microscopic slide preparations as indicated before proceeding onto the next area.

Read Module 2 and proceed with laboratory exercises. Schedule your laboratory exercises with the course instructor. This must be done at least one class session prior to the session you would like to perform the laboratory.

Upon completion of all laboratory exercises, set a time with the instructor to begin your exam practicum and written final. This must be done at least one class session prior to the session you would like to take the exams.

GermWare Mycology Tutorial and Reference CD-ROM

The GermWare Tutorial CD-ROM may be used in the laboratory during class or may be checked out from the department executive secretary. The tutorial must be viewed in the College of Health Professions or in the Computer Laboratory (208 Griffin Hall). If the program software has not been installed on the computer please ask the attendant for assistance.

Installing GermWare Mycology

To install GermWare, complete the following:
1. Start Microsoft Windows
2. Place your CD disc in the CD drive
3. Open the CD-ROM disc (or select Run from the Start menu, and click Browse)
4. Open the Setup Folder
5. Run Setup.exe
6. Select the default directories, and do a typical installation
WARNING: Do NOT do a custom installation!
7. Follow the instructions on the screen

Note: GermWare Mycology was created using Asymetrix Toolbook Instructor 11 Version 6. 1. See the License.wri file and the On-line Help System for licensing and copyright information. GermWare Mycology was developed using Asymetrix Assistant and Instructor 6.1 programs. During installation, the Toolbook Runtime files and the GermWare Mycology executable file will be installed to your hard disk. You must run GerrnWare with the GermWare CD in your computer's CD drive (the first CD drive, if you have multiple CD drives).

Using the GermWare Random Access Reference and Tutorial Programs

GermWare Mycology has been designed as an easy to use learning system. Various means are available for accessing photographs and textual information for 61 species of medically significant molds and yeasts.
Note: First time users should use the Tutorial Program

Launching GermWare

Locate the GermWare Mycology Version 1.1 Group on your computer. If you are using Windows 95, use the START button and select Programs. GermWare Mycology will be a program option. Launch the application using the appropriate icon (you can launch either the reference or tutorial program).

The GermWare tutorial is a step-by-step introduction to Mycology, by module. Within each module, you will complete the tutorial in a linear fashion. The GermWare Reference System is a random access program where you may select any information within a given module.

System Navigation

In the GermWare Mycology Random Access Reference Program, multiple methods are provided for accessing its content. You may use either the buttons described below, or the right mouse menu to navigate within this program:

Global System Map
The Global System Map button takes you to a page that provides an overview listing of the 61 genera and species of fungi included in GermWare Mycology by taxonomic category. Click any fungus in the Global System Map to access information about the fungus.

Information Page
The Information Page button will return you to the Information page for the current module. From the Information page you may select the System Map, Flow Diagram, Self-Assessment, Learning Objectives and Global Map.

The System Map
The System Map button will return you to the System Map on which are listed the various genera and species of fungi included in that current module.

The Flow Diagram
The Flow Diagram button will return you to the flow diagram for each of the modules, in which is included a decision tree on the practical steps necessary to identify each of the fungi included. More information can be obtained by clicking on any word or organism name that
is highlighted in red.

Additional GermWare Features

On-Line Glossary
The Glossary button is used to open the on-line glossary containing approximately 100 of the more commonly used terms. Once the glossary is open, select a letter of the alphabet to scroll the list of definitions to terms beginning with that letter. Click a term in the list to view its definition. Use the Close button to close the glossary when you are finished.

The Image Comparison Feature
Included are comparison photomicrographs to help the user differentiate between certain fungal species and their look-alikes.

Self-Assessment Program

A Self-Assessment Program accompanies each module, composed of several one best response type questions. As each answer is selected, a dialog box provides immediate feedback on whether any given answer is correct, including a short explanation relative to the response. The user may return to the first question and to the Main Menu at any time during the examination.

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Medical Mycology Text Modules

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Module 1, Basics of Mycology

Outline

I. Introduction to Mycology

II. Microscopic Morphology

III. Reproduction

IV. Colonial Morphology

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Module 2, Laboratory Procedures

Outline

I. Obtaining and Processing Specimens

II. Direct Examination of Specimens

A. Saline Wet Mount
B. Lactophenol Cotton Blue Prepartions
C. KOH
D. Gram Stain
E. Acid-Fast Stain
F. Calcofluor White Stain
G. India Ink Preparations

III. Culture Procedures

A. Media

IV. Culture Examinations

A. Tease Mount
B. Cellophane Tape
C. Slide Culture

V. Misc. Procedures

A. Skin Tests
B. Serology
C. DNA Testing

D. Antifungal Therapies

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Module 3, Opportunistic Mycoses

Outline

I. Common Properties

II. Prepared Slides

A. Acremonium
B. Alternaria
C. A. clavatus
D. A. flavus
E. A. niger
F. A. terreus
G. Bipolaris
H. Chaetomium
I. Chyrsosporium
J. Curvularia
K. Drechslera
L. Fusarium
M. Mucor
N. Paecilomyces
O. Penicillium
P. Pensillium chryseogenum
Q. Rhizopus
R. Scedosporium
S. Scopulariopsis
T. Sepedonium
U. Syncephalastrum
V. Ulocadium

III. Aseptate Opportunists

IV. Septate Opportunists

A. Dematiacous
B. Hyaline

V. Diseases

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Module 4, Superficial/Cutaneous Mycoses

Outline

I. Superficial Organisms

II. Dermatophytes

A. Microsporum
B. Epidermophyton
C. Trichophyton

III. Prepared Slides

A. M. audouinii
B. M. canis
C. E. floccosum
D. T. ajelloi
E. T. mentagrophytes
F. T. rubrum
G. T. schoenleini
H. T. terrestre

IV. Special Culture Techniques

V. Diseases

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Module 5, Yeasts

Outline

I. Laboratory Procedures

A. Direct Examination

1. Culture
2. Germ Tube Test

B. Biochemical Identification

C. Microscopic Morphology

1. Prepared Slides

A. Candida albicans
B. Cryptococcus neoformans
C. Geotrichum candidium

2. Corn Meal Agar
3. Niger Seed Agar

II. Diseases

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Module 6, Subcutaneous Mycoses

Outline

I. Molds

A. Dematiaceous
B. Hyaline

II. Fungus-like Bacteria

III. Prepared Slides

A. Nocardia
B. Philalophora verrucosa
C. Sporothrix schenckii
D. Wangiella dermatitidis

IV. Diseases

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Module 7, Systemic Mycoses

Outline

I. General Concepts of Systemic Infections

A. Special Handling Procedures
B. Geographical Distribution

II. Blastomycoses

III. Coccidioidomycoses

IV. Histoplasmosis

V. Paracoccididioidomycoses

VI. Other

A. Cryptococcosis
B. Pneumocystis

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Laboratories (100 Points): Laboratory exercises are for your experience and learning. Schedule your laboratory exercises with the course instructor. Scheduling must be done at least one class session prior to the session you would like to perform the laboratory. The instructor will demonstrate the correct procedures for the safe handling of mycology specimens. Secure a laboratory procedure from the course instructor and lab report form for these procedures. All laboratories must be completed and signed off by the instructor prior to taking the final and practicum. Each specimen processed and correctly identified is worth 50 points.

Obtain fungal specimens from instructor-minimum of 2 specimens randomly selected
Perform and record the following for each specimen:

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Final Practicum and Exam 300 points: The laboratory practicum consists of identification of fungal specimens by colonial morphology and microscopic identification. You will be able to use your notes during the microscopic examination. The written examination will consist of questions from the text and quizzes from the GermWare Mycology Tutorial. Upon completion of all laboratory exercises, set a time with the instructor to begin your exam practicum and written final. This must be done at least one class session prior to the session you would like to take the exams. The written exam may be scheduled separately from the practicums. All must be completed before progressing to the next unit.

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Medical Parasitology

Medical Parasitology Unit Progression: Complete one topic area before proceeding to next topic area.

  1. Following the Topics outlined below, read the text chapters as indicated in one topic area at a time.
  2. Use the World Wide Web to view kodachrome slide images for Topic areas 2, 3, and 4. You may use the notebook computers in the lab, the computers in the computer labs, or your own home computer if you have an internet account. You may access the image page at http://ruby.fgcu.edu/courses/davidb/50249/web/.
  3. View microscopic slide preparations as indicated in Topic areas 2 and 3 before proceeding onto the next area.
  4. Parasite Tutor, IBM PC software is available on the laboratory computers for your review and a practice exam. To use this software, contact the laboratory instructor.
  5. Read Chapter 7 and proceed with laboratory exercises. Schedule your laboratory exercises with the course instructor. This must be done at least one class session prior to the session you would like to perform the laboratory.
  6. Upon completion of all laboratory exercises, set a time with the instructor to begin your exam practicum and written final. This must be done at least one class session prior to the session you would like to take the exams.

Topics

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Topic 1: Introduction; Chapter 1

Outline:

I. Introduction to Parasitology

II. Classification of Parasites

III. General Terminology

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Topic 2: Helminths; Chapters 2, 3, and 4

Outline:

I.     Nematodes, Chapter 2

        Prepared Slides Set A

II.    Cestodes, Chapter 3

        Prepared Slides Set B

III.   Trematodes, Chapter 4

        Prepared Slides C

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Topic 3: Protozoa; Chapter 5

Outline:

I.     Pseudopodia

       Prepared Slides Set D

II.    Flagellates

        Prepared Slides Set E

III.   Ciliates

        Prepared Slides Set F

IV.   Sporozoa and Microsporidia

        Prepared Slides Set G

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Topic 4: Arthropoda; Chapter 6

Outline:

I. Insects and Arachnida

        Prepared Slides Set H

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Topic 5: Clinical Laboratory Procedures; Chapter 7

Outline:

I. Fecal Examination

II. Macroscopic Examination

A. Microscopic Examination
B. Concentration Techniques
C. Trichrome Staining
D. Other Diagnostic Procedures

III. Blood Examination

A. Thick Smears
B. Thin Smears

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Topic 6: Final Examination Review (Textbook pages 158-174)

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Laboratories: Laboratory exercises are for your experience and learning. You may repeat these exercises as needed to gain competency. Schedule your laboratory exercises with the course instructor. Scheduling must be done at least one class session prior to the session you would like to perform the laboratory. Secure a laboratory procedure from the course instructor and lab form for these procedures. All laboratories must be completed and signed off by the instructor prior to taking the final and practicum.

1. Fecal ova and parasite examination-no fewer than 2 specimens

a. Macroscopic
b. Direct wet mount
c. Concentration
d. Trichrome staining
e. Microscopic examination and identification


2. Blood parasitic examination

a. Stain prepared slides with Wright's stain
b. Microscopic examination and identification

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Final Practicum and Exam 400 points: The laboratory practicum consists of the processing of fecal specimens, examination and identification of unknown direct preparations, examination and identification of unknown prepared slides and a written exam. Upon completion of all laboratory exercises, set a time with the instructor to begin your exam practicum and written final. This must be done at least one class session prior to the session you would like to take the exams. The written exam may be scheduled separately from the practicums. All must be completed before progressing to the next unit.

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