PhD Programme in Health Sciences
Curriculum: “Infectious and Tropical Diseases”
Objectives
The PhD programme in Health Sciences, curriculum Infectious and Tropical Diseases, is designed to develop advanced knowledge of research methodology in at least one of the areas covered by the programme.
By the end of the course, the PhD candidate must have acquired the ability to independently discuss and apply the fundamental principles of scientific research in Infectious and Tropical Diseases, including:
- Appropriate formulation of a clinically relevant research question based on current literature
- Proper study design and adequate consideration of ethical aspects of research
- Selection of the appropriate statistical method
- Correct interpretation and discussion of the results of a scientific study within the relevant research fields
Evaluation of Progress
The student’s scientific activity is subject to annual review. At the end of each year, the student must prepare a report describing their activities, including:
- results obtained during the previous year
- an update on ongoing projects
- definition of the objectives expected to be achieved in the following year
The report must be reviewed and approved by the Programme Faculty.
Main Research Topics
- Infections in the immunocompromised host: epidemiology, diagnostics, and therapy
- Antimicrobial resistance and nosocomial infections: surveillance, epidemiology, and clinical management
- HIV infection: immunological alterations, opportunistic infections, antiretroviral therapy
- Invasive fungal infections: epidemiology, diagnostics, and therapy
- Tuberculosis: epidemiology and drug resistance
Examples of Specific Research Topics Related to the Faculty’s Scientific Activity
- Diagnosis and treatment of infections caused by multidrug‑resistant Gram‑negative bacteria
- Risk factors for infections caused by multidrug‑resistant Gram‑negative bacteria
- Antimicrobial stewardship
- Early diagnosis of candidemia
- Early differential diagnosis between candidemia and bacteremia
- Infections in patients with cystic fibrosis
- Antibiotic therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis
- Clostridium difficile infection
- Healthcare‑associated infections
- Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections in hematologic patients
- Invasive aspergillosis
- Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of antifungal agents
- Early diagnostic markers of fungal infection
- Antibiotic prophylaxis
- HIV therapy in naïve and experienced patients; therapeutic optimization in patients with multiple treatment failures
- Monitoring and management of short‑ and long‑term adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy
- Management of HIV in pregnancy and prevention of mother‑to‑child transmission
- Management of pediatric and adolescent patients with vertically transmitted HIV infection
- Management of HIV‑related metabolic comorbidities (bone disease, renal disease, metabolic syndrome, non‑AIDS‑defining cancers, cardiovascular disease)
- Diagnosis and treatment of AIDS‑defining conditions
- Efficacy and safety of therapy for viral hepatitis
- Management of chronic viral hepatitis in immunocompromised patients