Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells.
Naming and Classifying Microorganisms.
The bacterial cell: Size, shape and arrangements of bacteria.
Structures external to the cell wall: glycocalyx, flagella, pili and fimbriae. The cell wall: composition and characteristics; cell wall and Gram stain; atypical cell walls.
Structures internal to the cell wall: the plasma membrane; the cytoplasm; the nucleoid; plasmids and resistance factors; ribosomes.
Bacterial metabolism: aerobic respiration; anaerobic respiration and fermentation.
Bacterial division and generation time.
Bacterial spore: structure, types, sporulation and germination, and their protecting role in biocide resistance.
Biology of Fungi: general characteristics, structure and classification. Fungal pathogenesis.
Characteristics and classification of viruses.
Virus structure: non-enveloped and enveloped viruses.
Viral replication: life cycle of viruses with animal and prokaryote hosts. The resident oral microbiota. The mouth as a microbial habitat. Dental plaque: microbial biofilms in the mouth; mechanism of dental plaque formation.
Mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis: entry into the human body; adhesion, colonization and invasion; pathogenic actions of bacteria (tissue destruction, toxins); mechanisms for escaping host defenses. Antibacterials and their mechanisms of action. Mechanisms of drug resistance.
Gram-positive cocci: Staphylococci, Streptococci. Gram-negative cocci: Neisseria. Gram-positive rods: Mycobacterium, Actinomyces. Gram- negative rods: Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrionaceae, Campylobacter, Helicobacter. Spore-forming Gram-positive bacilli: Clostridium and Bacillus. Anaerobic bacteria in oral cavity. Spirochaetes.
RNA viruses: Orthomyxovirus, Rotavirus, Filovirus, Retrovirus, Coronavirus, Flavivirus, Picornavirus, Delta virus. DNA viruses: Poxvirus, Herpesvirus, Hepadnavirus, Papillomavirus. Antiviral drugs.
Prions.
Hospital-acquired infection.
Oral bacterial diseases: dental caries, periodontal diseases, peri- implantitis, dental abscess, pulpitis and dental pulp necrosis. Oral fungal and viral infections. Antimicrobial prophylaxis.
Selection, collection procedure, storage, transport and processing of clinical specimens.
Culture: use of non-selective and selective media.
Microbial Identification: conventional and molecular methods. Disinfection and sterilization, and dental asepsis.