Skin anatomy and biology. Bacterial infections

Fundamental skin biology, the diagnostic approach, histology and rational management of bacterial infections.

Course: Skin anatomy and biology. Bacterial infections

The first foundation module is devoted to the basic principles of dermatology. This course examines skin biology in detail, with particular attention to the microbiome and the mechanisms of skin immunity. After studying the structure of the skin, we move on to the structure of the dermatological consultation and history taking, in order to obtain the most useful information, to the problem-oriented approach to the patient, the decision-making process and the correct choice of diagnostic tests. We also pay attention to basic skin histology, so that you learn to read histology reports and use this valuable diagnostic tool.

The same course covers important bacterial diseases, from the most common to rare and severe conditions. Much attention is also given to methods of diagnosing bacterial infections and a rational approach to treatment, including resistant cases.

Practical sessions

Programme by day

Day 1

  • Welcome: Welcome (09:30–10:00)
  • Lecture: Introduction. Skin biology: keratinocyte biology (10:00–10:45)
  • Lecture: Skin biology: the basement membrane zone (BMZ) (10:45–11:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:30–11:45)
  • Lecture: Skin biology: the dermis (11:45–12:30)
  • Lecture: Skin biology: hair follicles and glands (12:30–13:15)
  • Lecture: Melanocytes and skin pigmentation (13:15–14:00)
  • Lunch: Lunch (14:00–15:00)
  • Lecture: Skin histology (15:00–16:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:30–16:45)
  • Clinical case: Examples and clinical cases (16:45–17:30)

Day 2

  • Lecture: Skin immunology. The innate immune response. (10:00–10:45)
  • Lecture: Skin immunology. The adaptive immune response. (10:45–11:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:30–11:45)
  • Lecture: Approach to the dermatological patient (part I). (11:45–12:30)
  • Lecture: Approach to the dermatological patient (part II). (12:30–13:15)
  • Clinical case: Examples and clinical cases (13:15–14:00)
  • Lunch: Lunch (14:00–15:00)
  • Practice: Practical session: Skin histology. (15:00–15:45)
  • Practice: Practical session: Skin biopsy. How to take informative biopsy samples. (15:45–16:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:30–16:45)
  • Self-assessment: Summary, quiz, quick self-assessment (16:45–17:30)

Day 3

  • Lecture: The skin microbiome (10:00–10:45)
  • Lecture: Superficial bacterial folliculitis and other superficial pyodermas. (10:45–11:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:30–11:45)
  • Lecture: Deep pyodermas. Local and generalised furunculosis. Post-grooming furunculosis. German Shepherd pyoderma. Deep bacterial infections: botryomycosis, actinomycosis, nocardiosis. (11:45–13:15)
  • Clinical case: Examples and clinical cases (13:15–14:00)
  • Lunch: Lunch (14:00–15:00)
  • Lecture: Diagnosis of bacterial skin infections. (15:00–15:45)
  • Lecture: Approach to nodular and fistulous skin lesions (15:45–16:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:30–16:45)
  • Self-assessment: Summary, quiz, quick self-assessment (16:45–17:30)

Day 4

  • Lecture: Understanding bacterial resistance and the MRS problem. (10:00–10:45)
  • Journal club: Journal club on resistant infections (10:45–11:30)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:30–11:45)
  • Lecture: How to interpret susceptibility test results. (11:45–12:30)
  • Lecture: Skin cytology (theory) (12:30–14:00)
  • Lunch: Lunch (14:00–15:00)
  • Practice: Practical session: Skin cytology. Discussion of clinical cases. (15:00–16:15)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:15–16:30)
  • Practice: Practical session: Skin cytology. Discussion of clinical cases. (16:30–17:30)

Day 5

  • Lecture: Mycobacterial infections. (10:00–11:00)
  • Break: Coffee break (11:00–11:15)
  • Lecture: Systemic therapy of skin infections. Rational antibiotic therapy (11:15–12:00)
  • Lecture: Principles of topical therapy. Adjunctive therapy. (12:00–13:30)
  • Lunch: Lunch (13:30–14:30)
  • Clinical case: Clinical cases — students’ cases (14:30–15:30)
  • Journal club: Journal club on the treatment of infections (15:30–16:15)
  • Break: Coffee break (16:15–16:30)
  • Self-assessment: Summary, quiz, quick self-assessment (16:30–17:30)