Postgraduate Course Diagnostic Pathology of Infectious Diseases

The main focus of this postgraduate course is morphological diagnosis of infectious disease (ID) cases based on a hands-on slide seminar. Diagnostic algorithms with ancillary (microbiological, serological and molecular) methods are discussed in each case. In addition, organ-based cases highlighting frequent infectious diseases are included. Moreover, general principles of ID pathology including recognition of specific patterns of inflammation guiding ID diagnostics, the use of special stains & morphological representation of microorganisms in tissues as well as diagnostic pitfalls are covered. Lectures on specific topics such as diagnostics by cultural and molecular methods, antibiotic resistance etc. will expand the course goals. The participants will be able to review the digitized cases (using virtual microscopy) four weeks prior to and four weeks after the course. During the course, all cases will be extensively discussed by the faculty members, using an interactive approach (live microscopic presentation of the cases).

Selected topics:

• Gastrointestinal infections
• Respiratory/pulmonary infections
• Lymph node infections
• Endo- & Myocarditis
• Granulomatous infections
• Fungal infections
• Parasitic infections