The importance and impact of infectious diseases is clearly demonstrated in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The different aspects of infectious diseases, like transmission, prevention, immune respons, diagnostics, treatment, epidemiology and pathogenesis are in the spotlight. Infectious diseases have always been an important cause of illness and death. Even in this century approximately a quarter of all deaths worldwide can be attributed to fatal infections. Because infections occur in all age groups and can affect all organs and tissues of the body, the study of these diseases is complex. The host’s condition as well as factors pertaining to the microorganism, determine the course of the disease. In order to obtain an insight into infectious diseases in general, we chose to study a few representative infection types in this block. A study of these ‘models’ will provide students with a good basic knowledge of infectious diseases. The focus is on the clinical picture, causing microörganisms, microbiological diagnostics, antimicrobial treatment and epidemiology. The course is more focused on clinical practice than on pathogenesis. In the first 2 weeks of the block, bacterial infections will be studied, including antibiotic treatment, resistance and prevention of spread. The second half of the block will address viral, parasitic and fungal infections. This will be accomplished by means of clinical cases discussed in the tutorial groups, lectures, a workhop, a laboratory training and a quiz. In week 3, a conference will be organised and held by the participating medical students themselves. Depending on the situation regarding COVID-19, online alternatives will be organised.

For the final assessment, the written examination (60 multiple choice questions) accounts for 70% and the conference presentation for 30%. Due to COVID-19 it is possible that the examination will be held online and that open questions will be used instead of multiple choice questions.

Number of available places: 30

To gain insight into the classification of microörganisms and in the characteristics of microörganisms that are of importance for human beings.

To understand the mechanisms that underlie the transmission and epidemiology of infectious diseases.

To get insight in the problems of growing resistance of bacteria, and the efforts made to prevent spread

To acquire knowledge about of a number of important infectious diseases

To know the principles of microbial diagnostics.

To know the principles of antimicrobial therapy.

To acquire knowledge about antibiotic therapy

To be aware of the importance of commensal flora, and to know the difference between colonization and infection

To gain knowledge how to manage a hospitalized patient suspected of an infection.

To be able to examine a current topic in the field of infectiology and to understand this subject either through recent articles or by means of a presentation by someone with expertise in the subject