College of Medicine

POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

Semester 3 Year 2
Block
Pathogenesis of Diseases
Number of Weeks: 11
Dates: October 9, 2023 – December 26, 2023
Block Director: Dr. Atef Shibl
Co-Director: Dr Dileep Rohra
Administrative Coordinator: Muntaser Qawas

Contents

Course Description2

General Learning Objectives

Specific Learning Objectives

Books and resource materials

Professional Skills Course

PBL Cases

Assessment & Evaluation

Block and Course Directors

Teaching Faculty

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

Course Description
This is an 12 week course integrating the basic aspects of Immunology, Microbiology,
Pathology, and Pharmacology. Although several aspects are peculiar to each individual
discipline, integration will be sought whenever possible to present the students a
homogeneous view of the different aspects constituting the basic mechanism of diseases
essential to approach the clinical practice. Several interactive occasions in the form of large
group discussion and clinico-pathological conferences will be arranged. To distribute the
burden of assessment, a mid-term exam will be arranged and suitable review sessions will be
offered. As every year, few improvements have been made as a result of feedback from the
students as well as the faculty. New PBL cases have been written. Practically-oriented
activities either hands on or virtual are also included and these will be reflected in the exam
giving more weightage to laboratory-oriented competence. Now all disciplines concur fully to
integration, although there is still room for improvement. The aim is to make the course more
enjoyable and more educationally sound.

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

General Learning Objectives

1. Describe the basic characteristics of disease, classification, etiology, pathogenesis,

structural and functional manifestations, complications, sequelae, and prognosis.
2. Discuss the causes and mechanisms of cell injury, necrosis, apoptosis and cellular
ageing, of acute and chronic inflammation, along with anti-inflammatory drugs.
3. Describe the relationship of host and microorganisms; how they can cause infections
and how they can be combated with natural (the immune system) and artificial
(vaccines, antibiotics) defenses.
4. Acquire skills in performing the major techniques to grow and identify
microorganisms, plot dose-response curves, and perform the most medically relevant
immune assays.
5. Discuss the general concepts underlying interactions between drug and the body
including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug synergism, drug antagonism
(various types), advantages and disadvantages of various routes of drug
administration, half-life, volume of distribution and dose-response curves.
6. Discuss how body responds to invading organisms by various defense mechanisms
and identify components of innate and acquired immunity.
7. Discuss the homeostasis and various hemodynamic disorders including shock,
hemorrhage and thrombosis.
8. Describe the disorders of differentiation and growth and molecular mechanisms
leading to neoplasia and general principles of anti-cancer drugs.
9. Discuss the mechanism of action, important adverse effects and pharmacological
basis of antibiotics, anti-fungals, anti-protozoals, analgesics, and drugs acting on
autacoids, autonomic nervous system drugs.

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

Specific Learning Objectives

Title of
Discipline Learning objectives
session
Week 1. The Basics
Immunology L1. Overview • Introduce basic concepts of immunology.
of the immune • Describe purpose and functions of the immune system.
system • Describe the primary and secondary organs of the immune
system.
• Describe and recognize the cells of the immune system.
• Understand the function of growth factors in immune cell
development.

L2. Innate • Outline the differences between the innate and adaptive immune
Immunity I. system.
• Identify the anatomical, humoral and cellular components of the
innate immune system.
• Appreciate the role of cytokines as bridges of innate and adaptive
immunity.
• Describe the process of recognition of non-self in innate
immunity.
• Describe the process of phagocytosis and intracellular killing.
• Learn about the nature and function of natural killer cells

Pathology L1. • Define Pathology as the study of disease and disease

Introduction to mechanisms.
pathogenic • Recognize the importance of pathology as core information for
mechanisms of solving clinical problems in real life.
disease • Describe the core significance of molecular and genetic processes
in disease.
• Contrast physiological and pathological situations.
• Define the basic characteristics of disease: etiology, pathogenesis,
structural and functional manifestations, complications, sequelae,
and prognosis.
• Describe the basic nomenclature of diseases and key definitions.
• Describe the principles of disease classification.
• Describe the role of epidemiological and other clues to the causes
of diseases.

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

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L2. Cellular • Describe the cellular adaptations following cell injury.

adaptations
following cell
injury

Pharmacology L1. • Understand the terms, Drug, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics,

Introduction to Pharmacodynamics & receptor.
Pharmacology • Discuss the sources of drugs.
and Basic • Differentiate among the terms addition & synergism.
Terminology • Discuss the terms, agonist & antagonist.

L2. Pharmaco- • Define the terms “Absorption”, “Bioavailability” &

kinetics I “Distribution” of drugs.
Absorption • Discuss the factors modifying the absorption of drugs.
and • Describe the mechanisms of distribution of drugs after absorption
distribution and list different drug reservoirs in the body.
• Enumerate the chemical processes by which drugs are
metabolized in the body.
• Describe the factors modifying drug metabolism & their clinical
significance.
• Describe the mechanisms & modifying factors of drug excretion
through various channels.
• Define & describe the first order & zero order elimination
kinetics.

Microbiology L1. • Describe the nature of the microbial world.

Introduction to • Discuss the importance of microbes in health and disease.
the microbial • Understand the basis of microbial classification and taxonomy.
world • Define the terms pathogenicity and virulence in the context of the
microbial world.

L2 Bacterial • Describe the architecture of the Gram-positive and Gram-

structure and negative bacterial cell envelope.
function I • Discuss the structure and synthesis the peptidoglycan cell wall
• Describe the nature of the bacterial capsule, pili, flagella, outer
membrane and their role as virulence factors.
• Compare and contrast endotoxins and exotoxins

Week 2: The Body’s Response to Microbes and Drugs

Immunology L3. Antigens • Describe the structure of antibodies and the nature of antigen
and Antibodies binding and the concept of affinity and avidity

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

• Describe the different antibody isotypes and their properties

• Define immunogens, antigens, epitopes and haptens.
• Understand the concept of hapten-carrier conjugates.
• Describe the factors influencing immunogenicity.
• Compare T-independent and T-dependent antigens.
• Appreciate interactions between antigens and antibodies.
• Describe primary and secondary antibody responses and the
concept of immunological memory.

L4. Immuno- • Understand the structure and function of the immune

genetics and B receptors, BCR and TCR.
cell develop- • Explain the origins of antibody diversity.
ment • Explain the origins of T cell diversity.
• Understand the concept of clonal selection.
• Describe the organization and expression of the
immunoglobulin gene families.
• Describe the mechanism of isotype switching

Microbiology L3, 4. • Describe the architecture of the Gram-positive and Gram-

Bacterial negative bacterial cell envelope.
structure and • Discuss the structure and synthesis the peptidoglycan cell wall
function II and • Describe the nature of the bacterial capsule, pili, flagella,
III outer membrane and their role as virulence factors.
• Compare and contrast endotoxins and exotoxins.
• Describe the nature of bacterial endospores and their medical
significance.
• Describe the special structure of unusual and “atypical”
organisms such as: Mycobacterium, Mycoplasma, and
Chlamydia.

L5. Bacterial • Discuss the stages of the bacterial growth curve and the types of
growth and oxygen utilization i.e. aerobic, anaerobic, facultative anaerobic,
metabolism and micro-aerophilic.

Lab activity 1 • Discuss staining and microscopy approaches for identification of

Staining and common clinically relevant organisms.
identification • Understand the principles of Gram Stain.
methods • Perform Gram stain and appreciate how it is used to differentiate
Gram positive & Gram negative bacteria.
• Understand the rational for performing ZN staining for Acid fast
bacilli.

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

L3,4 Cell
injury and cell • List and describe causes and mechanism of cell injury.
Pathology death Discuss reversible vs. irreversible cell injury. Describe the
cellular adaptations following cell injury

L3. Pharmaco-
kinetics II: • Define the terms “half-life”, “steady state concentration” &
Pharmacology Metabolism, “volume of distribution” of a drug.
distribution • Discuss the method of calculating volume of distribution,
and excretion loading dose & maintenance dose of drug.
• Discuss the clinical situations where therapeutic drug
monitoring of a drug is essential.

Week 3. The Effects of Microbes and Drugs on the Body

Microbiology L6. Bacterial • Describe the nature of bacterial genetic elements e.g.
genetics chromosomal DNA and plasmids. Discuss the mechanisms
and the clinical significance of gene transfer in bacteria.

L7,8. Major • Discuss the properties and virulence factors of examples of

clinically Gram positive bacteria of clinical importance:
relevant Gram Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Clostridia.
positive bacteria

Lab 2. Media • Discuss the requirements for culturing bacteria

and bacterial cell • Identify and discuss uses of different types of
culture bacteriological media.
• Perform isolation of pure cultures of bacteria by streak
plating.
• Observe culture plates and learn to describe bacterial
colonies.

Pathology L5. Cell death I. • Discuss cell death, necrosis and its types, and compare
Necrosis necrosis with apoptosis

L6. Cell death

II. Apoptosis

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

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L4. Routes of
Pharmacology drug • Define the term route of administration.
administration • List the major routes of administration & the advantages &
disadvantages associated with each route.
• Identify the factors that can influence the choice of route of
administration.
L5. t½, Vd &
Therapeutic • Define the terms “half-life”, “steady state concentration” &
Drug “volume of distribution” of a drug.
Monitoring • Discuss the method of calculating volume of distribution,
loading dose & maintenance dose of drug.
• Discuss the clinical situations where therapeutic drug
monitoring of a drug is essential.

L6. Pharmaco- • Discuss the mechanisms by which drugs produce their

dynamics pharmacological effects.
• Define the term “receptor”& discuss the phrases “up-
regulation & down-regulation” of receptors
• Compare & contrast various types of drug antagonisms

• Define the term “efficacy” & “potency” of drugs.

L7. Efficacy, • Interpret the Graded Dose-Response curve & measure the
Potency & efficacy & potency from that curve.
Safety of drugs • Plot quantal dose-response curve and measure ED50, TI50,
ED50, & Therapeutic index.

L8. Principles of • Define the terms “antibiotic”, “antibacterial”

Antibacterial “bacteriostatic”, “bactericidal” & “selective toxicity”.
Therapy and • Differentiate among the narrow, extended & broad-spectrum
Classification antibiotics.
• Discuss the factors that help in choosing an appropriate
antibiotic.
• Describe the mechanisms of acquired drug resistance.
• Classify the antibiotics based on the mechanism of action.
To plot dose-response curves for the action of a receptor
agonist.

Lab activity. • Drawing and interpretation of dose response curves and

Computer competitive antagonism
simulations of • Measurement of drug efficacy
dose response • Calculation of EC50

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

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pharmacology.

Immunology L5. Complement • Trace complement components through steps of activation.

• Explain the three different pathways of complement
activation
• Understand how complement activation is involved in
inflammation and the killing of bacteria.

Week 4. Host-Pathogen Relationships

Microbiology L9,10. Major • Discuss the properties and virulence factors of Gram negative
clinically bacteria of clinical relevance: Neisseria, Escherichia,
relevant Gram Salmonella and Pseudomonas.
negative • Correlate the properties and virulence factors with the
bacteria I and infectious processes associated with these pathogens
II

L11, 12 Other • Discuss the properties and pathogenesis of non- Gram

clinically negative/Gram positive bacteria of clinical relevance:
relevant Mycobacteria, Chlamydia, Spirochetes, Mycoplasma,
bacteria I and Brucella
II

Lab. activity 3: • Learn the techniques for the culture, staining and
Laboratory identification of Gram positive bacteria
Diagnosis of
Gram positive
bacteria

Pathology L7. Acute • Describe the causes and cardinal features, basic mechanisms,
Inflammation local and systemic effects of acute inflammation.
• Describe the role of blood vessels in acute inflammation
L8. Acute • Describe the role of different leukocytes and chemical
Inflammation: mediators in acute inflammation
Chemical • Describe the morphological patterns of acute inflammation
mediators • Describe the systemic effects of inflammation

Pharmacology L9. Cell wall • Classify the cell wall synthesis inhibitors.
synthesis • Discuss the structure-activity relationship of b lactam

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

inhibitors antibiotics.
• Revisit the physiology of cell wall synthesis & explain the
mechanism of action of b lactam antibiotics & vancomycin.
• Describe the mechanisms of drug resistance against b lactam
antibiotics.
• Discuss the role of b lactamase inhibitors in combination with
b lactam antibiotics.
• Describe the clinical uses & adverse effects of b lactam
antibiotics and vancomycin.

L10,11. • Discuss the antimicrobial spectrum, pharmacokinetics &

Protein adverse effects of protein synthesis inhibitors with focus on
synthesis aminoglycosides, tetracycline, macrolides, lincosamides and
inhibitors I&II chloramphenicol.

L12. Anti- • Discuss the antimicrobial spectrum, pharmacokinetics &

metabolites & adverse effects of sulfonamides, trimethoprim and
fluoro- fluoroquinolones
quinolones

Immunology L6.MHC and • Discuss the role of the major histocompatibility complex in
Antigen antigen presentation.
Processing • Study the production, structure and function of Class I and
Class II MHC molecules.
• Describe the different pathways of antigen presentation for
intracellular and extracellular antigens.

L7. Thymic • Explain thymic education

education, • Describe clonal deletion
central • Describe central tolerance
tolerance and • Explore T cell development
T cell
development

Week 5. Inflammation
Microbiology L13,14. • Discuss important basic concepts in parasitology such as
Protozoa I vectors, host, and reservoir of infection.
and II • Discuss the classification of major groups of protozoa.
• Discuss the life cycle, role of different vectors, reproduction,
stages (trophozoites and cysts) of selected medically relevant

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

protozoa.

• Learn the techniques for the culture, staining and identification

Lab Activity of Gram negative bacteria
4: Isolation
of Gram
negative
bacteria

• Describe the causes and cardinal features, basic mechanisms,

Pathology L9. Morpho- local and systemic effects of acute inflammation.
logical • Describe the role of blood vessels in acute inflammation
pattern of • Describe the role of different leukocytes and chemical
acute mediators in acute inflammation
Inflammation • Describe the morphological patterns of acute inflammation.
• Describe the systemic effects of inflammation

• Discuss the causes of chronic inflammation and the role of

L10. Chronic macrophages in this type of inflammation.
inflammation • Discuss the classification of chronic granulomatous
inflammation

• Explain the anti-pyretic, analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory

Pharmacology L13. effects produced by NSAIDs and acetaminophen
Analgesic, • Compare the important pharmacological effects and clinical
anti-pyretic uses of aspirin with acetaminophen and other NSAIDs
& anti- • Describe the structural distribution, receptor functions and
inflammatory physiological effects of ANS.
drugs

• Classify the anti-protozoal drugs based on their activity.

L14. Anti- • Discuss the mechanism of action, clinical uses & adverse
protozoal effects of important anti-protozoal drugs.
drugs
• Understand the difference between naïve and effector T cells
Immunology L8. Naïve vs • Describe the process of immune surveillance
Effector • Describe the signals required for T cell activation
cells, • Describe lymphocyte homing and the role of chemokines
lymphocyte
homing and
T cell
activation

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

Week 6. Pathogens and Defences

Microbiology L15. • Discuss the life cycle, role of different vectors, reproduction,
Protozoa III. stages (trophozoites and cysts) of selected medically relevant
protozoa.

Lab Activity • Discover the different methods for determining antibiotic

5. Anti- susceptibility
microbial
Susceptibility

Pathology L11,12. • Describe the cell cycle, stem cells and mechanisms controlling
Tissue repair; and regulating cell proliferation in tissue response to injury
regeneration and repair.
healing and • Describe how tissue responds to injury and mechanisms of
fibrosis repair, tissue regeneration and wound healing and fibrosis

L13. Basis of • Discuss definitions of hyperemia, congestion and haemorrhage

haemostasis • Describe the normal fluid homeostasis in tissue and organs.
and hemo- • Describe the mechanisms, causes and pathological types of
dynamic edema, and correlate the pathogenesis of edema in relevant
disorders diseases.

Pharmacology L15. • Describe the structural distribution, receptor functions and

Introduction physiological effects of ANS.
to the • Describe the synthesis, storage and release of acetylcholine,
autonomic adrenaline and nor-adrenaline.
nervous • Classify the drugs acting on ANS according to their receptor
system affinity and mechanism of action.

L16. • Compare the important pharmacokinetic properties,

Cholinergic pharmacological effects, clinical uses, adverse effects and
agonists important drug-drug interactions of various drugs acting on
ANS.

L17. • Describe the structural distribution, receptor functions and

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

Cholinergic physiological effects of ANS.

antagonists • Describe the synthesis, storage and release of acetylcholine,
adrenaline and nor-adrenaline.
Classify the drugs acting on ANS according to their receptor
affinity and mechanism of action

• Describe the general properties of cytokines

Immunology L9. Classify the different classes of cytokines based on their
Cytokines functional activity

• Describe the properties and function of the T helper cell

L10. T helper subsets
cell subsets

Week 7. Blood Disorders

Microbiology L16, 17. • Describe the developmental stages of the lifecycle, modes of
Helminthes I transmission including the role of vectors and intermediate
and II hosts of major helminthic diseases

Lab Activity • Carry out the identification of developmental stages (e.g.

6. Protozoa adult, ova, cysts and trophozoites) of selected medically
relevant parasites

Pathology L14. Shock • Describe mechanisms of hemorrhage and shock; discuss the
causes and types of shock

L15,16. • Discuss normal haemostasis

Thrombosis • Discuss functions of vessel wall, platelets and coagulation
& embolism I factors in bleeding, coagulation and thrombosis
and II • Clinically correlate defects of vessel wall, platelets and
coagulation factors
• Discuss pathophysiology of thrombosis and thrombophilic
disorders
• Describe the causes, mechanisms, gross and microscopic
changes of embolism, ischemia and infarction and correlate its
pathogenesis to clinical signs and symptoms of common
diseases.

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

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L18, 19. • Describe the structural distribution, receptor functions and

Pharmacology Adrenergic physiological effects of ANS.
agonists and • Describe the synthesis, storage and release of acetylcholine,
antagonists adrenaline and nor-adrenaline.
Classify the drugs acting on ANS according to their receptor
affinity and mechanism of action

L20. Anti- • Classify the anti-helminthic drugs based on their activity.

helminthic • Discuss the mechanism of action, clinical uses & adverse
drugs effects of important anti-helminthic drugs.

L11. T-B cell • Describe the role of follicular T helper cells in providing help
Immunology interactions to B2 cells for antibody production and isotype switching

• Describe the process of affinity maturation and clonal

selection

L12. • Describe the generation of cytotoxic T cells and their

Lymphocyte mechanism of killing
killing and • Describe the recognition and activation mechanisms used by
other T cell NK cells
subsets • Discuss the function and activity of regulatory T cells

Week 8. Fungi and Neoplasia

Microbiology L18, 19. • Discuss the classification, structure and morphology of fungi in
Mycology I relation to medicine.
and II • Outline the fungi in the ecosystem including their impact in
economic, environmental and medical activities.
• Discuss the clinical classification of mycotic infections:
Superficial, Subcutaneous, Systemic and Opportunistic mycoses.

• Discuss types of disinfectancts, activity and applicability.

L20. Anti- • Discuss the different methods of sterilization.
septics dis-

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

infectants
and
sterilization

L21. • Describe viral structure and classification.

Introduction • Describe the steps in viral entry, replication and release.
to virology • Understand the patterns of viral infection.

Lab activity • Investigate the approaches for the laboratory diagnosis of fungal
7. Fungi infections.

Pathology • Describe the nomenclature and criteria of benign vs. malignant

L17. neoplasms
Neoplasia I: • Describe the epidemiology of cancer including the incidence of
Core cancer related to age, race, geographical factors and genetic
concepts background.
L18. • Describe the various molecular bases of cancer development
Neoplasia with discussion of involved genes.
II: • Describe the pathogenesis of known chemical, radiological and
Metastasis infectious agents in the development of cancer.
• Describe the various mechanism of host defense against cancer.
• Describe the clinical aspects of neoplasia, including cancer
cachexia and paraneoplastic syndromes.
• Describe the principal and application of grading and staging of
cancer.
• Describe the various laboratory tests available for the diagnosis
of cancers, including morphology, immunohistochemistry and
molecular techniques.

• Discuss the various types of antifungal drugs and their

mechanism of action

Pharmacology L21. • Describe the synthesis, storage, release, receptor distribution and
Antifungal organ system effects of histamine.
drugs • Explain the important pharmacokinetic properties,
pharmacological effects, clinical uses, adverse effects and
L22. Drugs important drug-drug interactions of drugs acting on histamine
acting on receptors.
autacoids
• Define allergen and type I hypersensitivity.
• Understand the roles of IgE and mast cells in allergy.

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

• Visualize the skin prick test for diagnosis of allergy.

• Learn the role of antibodies in type II hypersensitivity.
Immunology L13. Hyper- • Learn the role of antigen-antibody complexes in type III
sensitivity hypersensitivity.
• Learn the role of T helper cells in type IV hypersensitivity

• Identify tumor specific antigens.

• Appreciate how immune surveillance protects against cancer.
• Understand the tumor cell components which protect it from the
immune system.
L14. • Describe the rationale and approaches for immunotherapy
Tumour
immun-
ology
Week 9. Cancer I
Microbiology L22. Virus • Describe the Baltimore Classification
classification • Highlight differences between RNA and DNA viruses and the
replication strategies used by both types
• Describe retroviruses

Lab activity • Explore the approaches for the laboratory diagnosis of fungal
8. Mycology infections

Pathology L19,20, 21. .

Neoplasia I, • Describe the nomenclature and criteria of benign vs. malignant
II, III: neoplasms.
Mechanisms • Describe the epidemiology of cancer including the incidence of
of cancer related to age, race, geographical factors and genetic
oncogenesis background.
• Describe the various molecular bases of cancer development
with discussion of involved genes.
• Describe the pathogenesis of known chemical, radiological and
infectious agents in the development of cancer.
• Describe the various mechanism of host defense against cancer.
• Describe the clinical aspects of neoplasia, including cancer
cachexia and paraneoplastic syndromes.
• Describe the principal and application of grading and staging of
cancer.
• Describe the various laboratory tests available for the diagnosis
of cancers, including morphology, immunohistochemistry and
molecular techniques.

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

Pharmacology L23, 24.

Principles of • Classify anti-cancer drugs.
chemo- • Describe the mode of action, clinical uses and adverse effects of
therapy I & the prototype anti-cancer drugs from each group.
II: Principles • Compare the important pharmacological effects of important
of chemo- anti-cancer drugs within each group.
therapy II: • Describe the rationale for combination anti-cancer therapy
Overview of
anti-cancer
drugs

Immunology L15.
Primary • Describe the mechanisms of primary immune deficiency
Immune • Describe the spectra of primary immune deficiency disease
Deficiency • Explore the therapeutic approaches for the treatment of primary
Diseases immune deficiency diseases

L16.
Vaccinology • Describe the principles of vaccine development
• Understand the different types of vaccines
• Discuss the composition of vaccine preparations
• Discuss the principle of herd immunity

• Highlight the mandatory vaccination programs implemented in

L17. the Kingdom
Vaccination
programs in
the Kingdom

Week 10. Cancer II and Immunopathology

.
Microbiology L23. • Describe the spectra of virus diseases
Virology III: • Describe the mechanisms of viral pathology
Virus
pathogenesis

L24. • Highlight virus families which cause common infections in the

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024

Virology community
IV:Clinically • Describe the difference between epidemics and pandemics
relevant • Define viruses which have created epidemics recently and those
viruses which are predicted to cause epidemics in the near future

Lab activity • Understand the different applications of antibodies for

9. Applied therapeutics and diagnostics.
immunology

L22. • Describe the clinical aspects of neoplasia, including cancer

Pathology Introduction cachexia and paraneoplastic syndromes.
to clinical • Describe the principal and application of grading and staging of
and cancer.
diagnostic
aspects of
oncogenesis • Describe common presentations of malignant tumours
Investigations and workup of cancer

18, 19. • Discuss the importance of infection control in the prevention of

Immunology Infection hospital-acquired infections
Control I & Discuss methods of infection control
II

Final Exam

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

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Books and Resource material

DISCIPLINE BOOKS/ RESOURCE MATERIAL

Immunology Basic Immunology:Functions and Disorders of the Immune
System. A.K. Abbas, A.H. Lichtman and S. Pillai. 6th ed,
ELSEVIER, Philadelphia, 2020.
Cellular and Molecular Immunology. A.K. Abbas and A.H.
Lichtman. 9th ed, ELSEVIER, Philadelphia 2017
Power Point and literature supplied by the Faculty.
Microbiology Mims’ Medical Microbiology and Immunology 6th Ed. R Goering
and H. Dockrell, 2018
Jawetz, Melnick and Adelberg’s Medical Microbiology 27th Ed.
KC Carroll and JC Butel, 2016
Power Point and literature supplied by the Faculty.
Pathology Robbins and Cotran Basic Pathology, Professional Edition, 10th
Ed, V. Kumar and A.K. Abbas, 2017.
Power Point and literature supplied by the Faculty.
Pharmacology Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology 8th Ed, J.M. Ritter and R.D.
Flower, 2015
Power Point and literature supplied by the Faculty.

Professional Skills Course (PRO234)

The Professional Skills Course would run concurrently with this block. The Block Director
for Professional Skills is Dr. Muhammad Zafar. Any queries about the course may kindly be
directed to him.

Office: 7687
E-mail: mzafar@alfaisal.edu

Professional Skills activity will take place on Mondays and Thursdays of every week.
For details on objectives, scheduling, group distribution, attendance and evaluation etc.
please refer to the PRO234 course booklet uploaded at Alfaisal University Learning Portal
(https://elearning.alfaisal.edu/login/index.php).

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PBL Cases

1. Students will be asked to evaluate the PBL case and the facilitator ( evaluation form will be
handed to them by the end of the case/block)

2. Acquisition of PBL learning objectives can be assessed in the exam as MCQ or SAQ as
appropriate according to Block Director

3. PBL evaluation, represent the continuous assessment and carry 10% of total marks.

4. The students’ performance in the PBL sessions shall be evaluated upon the following points.:

PBL Session 1:
Score from 1-10 is awarded for each virtue while 10 is the strongest degree of agreement

1. Attending the session = Mark 10 if present & 0 if absent.

2. Coming on time: If the student is punctual he will get full marks. However marks shall be
deducted for being late with 2 marks deducted for every 5- 10 minutes late.
3. Proposing hypothesis:
 Multiple hypotheses can be proposed by the students during the session.
 All students should participate in refining/discussing or proposing another
hypothesis.
4. Identifying learning objectives:
 Students should be able to derive learning objectives from the triggers in the case and
the proposed hypothesis.
5. Critically analysing the problem including the psychosocial factors affecting patients:
6. Summarizing and presenting the information clearly:
 Should use medical terminology to summarize the clues, information, triggers.
 Interpret the examination and investigations findings
 Should NOT read the case when trying to summarize it
7. Identifying important positive and negative findings:
 Correlate the findings to suggest differential diagnosis.
 Propose appropriate investigations to reach the final diagnosis.

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POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

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PBL Session 2:
Score from 1-10 is awarded for each virtue while 10 is the strongest degree of agreement

1. Attending the session = Mark 10 if present; 0 if absent.

2. Coming on time: If the student is punctual he will get full marks. However marks shall be
deducted for being late, with 2 marks deducted for every 5- 10 minutes late.
3. Discussing the learning objectives , retrieving, citing and critically analysing current
reviews/primary literature:
 Even participation is expected for ALL derived learning objectives
 Integrates basic science and clinical concepts/problems
 Correlates positive and negative findings
 Summarizes information clearly
 Uses audio-visual aid (smart board) to explain a point, draw a diagram, show
images/short videos

 Respecting all view points and Balanced Participation: (in both sessions)

 Respects other students point of view when discussing

 Tries neither to dominate, nor be silent throughout the session.
 Accepts feedback properly and tries to develop self accordingly
 Provides a constructive feedback to their group members at the end of the session.

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 College of Medicine

POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024
Assessment & Evaluation
1. Continuous Assessment: 30%
PBL 5%
Midterm Examination (MCQs) 25%

2. Final Examination 70%

MCQs and SAQs 60%
OSPE 10%

*The final exam is a comprehensive exam and it will include all topics covered in the
block.

Block and Course Directors

Block Director: Dr Atef Mohamed Shibl
Specialty: Microbiology
Email: ashibl@alfaisal.edu
Contact: 7782

Block Co-Director: Dr Dileep Rohra

Specialty: Pharmacology
Email: drohra@alfaisal.edu
Contact: 7675

Pathology Coordinator: Dr Abrar Barakzai

Specialty: Pathology
Email: abrarakzai@alfaisal.edu

Teaching Faculty and Staff

Contact: 7689

Name Specialty Email Office #

Dr Muhabat Raji Microbiology mraji@alfaisal.edu 7628
Dr Atef Shibl Microbiology AShibl@alfaisal.edu 7782
Dr Giuseppe Botta Microbiology gibotta@alfaisal.edu
Dr Hana Abdalla Microbiology haabdalla@alfaisal.edu 7920
Dr Garwin Kim Sing Immunology gksing@alfaisal.edu 7639
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 College of Medicine

POD Block (233) – Semester 3- year 2

Academic Year 2023-2024
Dr Dileep K. Rohra Pharmacology drohra@alfaisal.edu 7675
Dr Dana Bakheet Pharmacology dbakheet@alfaisal.edu 7699
Dr Hatouf Husni
Pharmacology hsukkarieh@alfaisal.edu 8900
Sukkarieh
Dr Samah Zarroug Pharmacology szarroug@alfaisal.edu 7737
malem@alfaisal.edu
Dr Manal Alem Pharmacology 7646

Dr Santosh Kumar Pharmacology sakumar@alfaisal.edu 7684

Dr Peter Cahusac Pharmacology pcahusac@alfaisal.edu 7640
Dr Abrar Barakzai Pathology abrarakzai@alfaisal.edu 7689
Dr Abdulrahman Ouban Pathology aouban@alfaisal.edu 7645
Dr Muhammad Raihan
Pathology msajid@alfaisal.edu 7690
Sajid

For more information please contact

Muntaser Qawas

Academic Affairs Specialist

mqawas@alfaisal.edu

011-2157736

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