This course will discuss the challenges posed by bacterial pathogens and the difficulties that they represent in the healthcare setting. It will highlight problems of antimicrobial resistance, microbial evolution, infection surveillance, describe known virulence determinants and discuss many of the strategies currently used to prevent or treat these pathogens. It will specifically highlight new approaches that are being taken to address and overcome these problems. 

This option is assigned to block S2-D. There is normally 3 hours of teaching on Fridays.

None

The course will be assessed by a 2-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment consisting of a critical analysis of a manuscript (33%). 

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of the factors that influence the anti-microbial resistance and virulence of bacterial pathogens and the challenges these organisms create within the healthcare setting. In particular, it will highlight the ability of bacteria to adapt to new environmental niches, resist current treatments and adapt to persist despite intervention by man. The course will also describe the steps being taken to improve drug and vaccine design in order to limit the impact of these diseases.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

■ Critically discuss the threat posed by increasing antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of new bacterial threats.

■ Critically evaluate the prophylactic and therapeutic alternative approaches that are being developed to treat resistant bacteria.

■ Evaluate the molecular approaches used to monitor bacteria populations in health and disease.

■ Analyse and interpret data from the current microbiology literature..

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.