PC3006:03
Infectious Diseases and Immunology for Pharmacists
Townsville
Prerequisites: BC2014 BC2025 PC2001 PC2002
Inadmissable Subject Combination: MI2021
36 lectures, 6 tutorials, 15 hours practicals, 15 hours workshops. Second semester.
Available to students enrolled in level 3 of the Bachelor of Pharmacy.
Staff: Mr J Warner, Assoc. Professor R Hirst, Dr R Rasiah.
The incidence of infectious and parasitic disease is high in tropical regions of Australia, particularly in rural, remote and indigenous communities. This subject will present the microbial and parasitic causes, prevention and treatments of infectious and parasitic diseases of importance to pharmacy practice. The role of microbial chemotherapy and vaccination in the treatment and control of infectious diseases and the specific and non-specific mechanisms of microbial resistance will be examined.
A special focus will be placed on tropical infectious diseases, the infectious diseases of childhood and the preventative and educational role of the pharmacist in the area of immunization and population health.
The evolution, physiology and regulation of the immune system and its role in infectious and auto-immune diseases and in tumor and transplantation biology will also be explored.
Learning Objectives:
- discuss the population health role and responsibilities of the pharmacist in infectious disease including identification, prevention, education, microbial resistance and the importance of compliance;
- describe the clinical presentation and drug teatment of common childhood and infectious diseases relevant to pharmacy practice;
- develop an understanding of the pharmacokinetics of the antimicrobials used in the treatment of infection, including the use of therapeutic drug monitoring infectious diseases;
- develop an understanding of the major classes of microbes and parasites causing diseases in humans and animals and basic techniques used for their identification and treatment;
- describe the pathogenesis of commonly encountered infectious, immunological, haematological, neoplastic diseases and those found in indigenous populations and tropical areas;
- describe the principles behind rational drug use for the treatment of infection.
Assessment by a three-hour examination (70%); practical attendance and reports (20%); assignment (10%). Other assessment details should be checked with the academic adviser in Pharmacy.