Immunology and Mycology
Subject Overview
Immunology and Mycology covers the basics of innate and acquired immunity, antigens and immunoglobulins, antigen-antibody reactions and the serological techniques built on them (complement fixation, immunofluorescence, ELISA, CCIEP, RIA, SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and diagnostic tests like Widal, VDRL, ASO, CRP), the complement system, immune response, hypersensitivity and vaccines — then moves into medical mycology, covering fungal classification, culture and identification technique for medically important fungi. A 1-credit skill enhancement theory paper.
Unit-wise Syllabus
3 units — click WhatsApp below to get the full notes for each
Unit 1: Immunity, antigens and antibodies
History and introduction to immunology, innate and acquired immunity, types of antigens and determinants of antigenicity, structure and properties of immunoglobulins
Unit 2: Serological techniques and immune response
Antigen-antibody reactions and their applications; principle, procedure and applications of complement fixation test, immunofluorescence, ELISA, CCIEP, RIA, SDS-PAGE and western blotting; serological tests — Widal, VDRL, ASO, CRP, Brucella tube agglutination, Rose-Waaler; complement system and activation pathways; humoral and cellular immune response; hypersensitivity reactions; vaccines and India's Extended Programme of Immunization (EPI)
Unit 3: Medical mycology
Introduction to medical mycology, superficial and deep mycoses, taxonomy and classification of medically important fungi, morphological and cultural characteristics of common fungal contaminants, culture media used in mycology, direct microscopy, processing of clinical samples (skin, nail, hair, pus, sputum, CSF), isolation and identification technique for yeasts and moulds, preservation of fungal cultures