Clinical biology [MPHAM121]

Learning outcomes

Introduction to clinical biology

Objectives

Introduction to clinical biology

Content

Introduction to the main disciplines of clinical biology: biochemistry, microbiology, haematology, haemostasis and transfusion

Table of contents

1) Introduction to clinical biology: François Mullier: 2H

2) Introduction to ISO15189: Emilie Catry: 2h

3) Proposed course outline for medical biochemistry Master Pharmacie - Unamur Mélanie Closset

1. Introduction

2. Nature and specificities of biological samples in medical biochemistry  

a. blood

b. urine

c. cerebrospinal fluid

d. biological fluids

e. sweat

3. Analytical methods commonly used in biochemistry (reminder)

a. potentiometry

b. spectrophotometry

c. reflectometry

d. chemiluminescence

e. immunoprecipitation (turbidimetry and nephelometry)

f. immunoassays

g. electrophoresis

h. chromatography

4. Implementation of a medical biochemistry assay: analytical performance, calibration, internal and external quality control, etc.

5. Clinical applications 

Physiopathological background, parameters measured and associated analytical methods in the context of:

a. renal function and ionic disorders

b. hepatic and pancreatic function

c. cardiac function and lipid balance

d. tumour markers

e. hormonology

f. therapeutic monitoring and toxicology

g. protein balance

4) Proposed lesson plan haematology-cytology Master pharmacie Unamur: Dr Chloé Nobis: 2h

1. Blood

1.1. Blood constituents

1.2. Plasma and serum

1.3. Blood cells

2. Haematopoiesis

2.1. Location of haematopoiesis  

2.2. Haematopoietic stem cells

2.3. Myelopoiesis

2.4. Lymphopoiesis

3. Blood studies

3.1 Clinical signs

3.2 Blood count

3.3 Myelogram and bone marrow biopsy

4. Decreased number of normal blood cells

4.1. Anemia

4.2 Thrombocytopenia

4.3. Neutropenia and agranulocytosis  

4.4. Pancytopenia

4.5. Monocytopenia

4.6. Lymphopenia

5. Increase in the number of normal blood cells

5.1. Polycythemia

5.2. Thrombocytosis

5.3. Hyperleukocytosis

5.4. Neutrophil Polynucleosis

5.4. Hypereosinophilia

5.5. Basocytosis

5.6. Monocytosis

5.7. Lymphocytosis

6. Presence of cells usually absent from the blood

6.1. Blastosis

6.2. Myeloma

6.3. Plasmacytosis

6.4. Erythroblastosis

7. Haemogram abnormalities associated with certain physiological or pathological situations

7.1. Pregnancy

7.2. Cirrhosis

7.3 Chronic renal failure

7.4. Endocrine insufficiency

7.5. Inflammatory syndrome

8. Adenopathy & splenomegaly

8.1. Definition and anatomical summary

8.2. Benign and malignant causes

8.3. Superficial and deep adenopathy

5) Microbiology module: Olivier Denis

Introduction: 

- Importance of infectious diseases in human medicine

- Resistance to anti-infectives

- One-Health" concept

Pre-analytical aspects of microbiology

- Sample collection

- Collection of relevant clinical data

- Transporting samples to the laboratory

Analytical aspects

- Direct examination and antigen detection

- Culture in microbiology

- Automation of microbial cultures

- Identification 

- Determination of antibiotic sensitivity

Post-analytical aspects

- Validation and interpretation of results

- Communication of results to the prescriber

6) Pharmacogenetics-Molecular biology in oncology: principles and applications (2h): Jonathan Degosserie

7) Haemostasis (6h): François Mullier

Importance of the pre-analytical phase in haemostasis.

Investigation of primary haemostasis.

Investigation of plasma coagulation and fibrinolysis.

Preoperative work-up

Thrombophilia assessment

Clarification of thrombocytopenia

Rational prescription of haemostasis tests

Monitoring anticoagulants

Monitoring antiaggregants

Seminar: Type II heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Clinical cases: interpretation of haemostasis tests

8) The HLA system: Liesbeth Daniels (1h)

an introduction and its clinical relevance in solid organ transplantation, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, HLA-associated diseases, pregnancy and transfusion-related pathology.

9) Immunohematology Laetitia Moreno (2h)

General introduction to immuno-haematology, principles of tests and history.

Details of the main blood systems: ABO RH phenotype and KELL phenotype.

Clinical interest and practical application: immuno-haematology and the blood bank.

10) Clinique de l'anémie Patient Blood Management Sarah Lessire (3h)