• BIOL3207
• Clinical Laboratory Science

This module will provide an overview of the role of clinical laboratory sciences in the context of nutrition and dietetic practice. Particular emphasis will be placed on common laboratory tests/investigation strategies used in the diagnosis and monitoring of selected diseases and the interpretation of clinical chemistry, clinical haematology, clinical immunology and clinical microbiology results and data. The module will also explore the role of microbes in heath and disease and address the clinical significance, prevention and control of healthcare- and community- acquired infections.

Lectures:
Clinical Chemistry: Principles of differential diagnosis and selection of ?front-line' tests; Biochemical investigation of organ systems (e.g. renal, hepatobiliary, cardiac, bone, endocrine); Biochemical investigation of disease states (e.g. Carbohydrate disorders, dyslipidaemias, dysproteinaemias, electrolyte disorders, acid base disorders); Inborn errors of metabolism - principles, diagnosis and investigation. National Newborn Screening Programme; Principles and practice of Point of Care testing
Clinical Haematology: Anaemia, considerations of age and gender, causes of anaemia, classification, differential diagnosis, significance of anaemia and compensator mechanisms; Overview of haemostasis, interrelationship of activation and inhibition pathways. Introduction to bleeding disorders, thrombosis, causes, lifestyle diagnosis and treatment;
Clinical Immunology: Biomarkers of inflammatory disorders including coeliac disease.
Medical Microbiology: Human Microbiome- acquisition, distribution, diversity, contribution in health, dysbiosis in disease modules - obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome Healthcare- and Community-Acquired Infection in Ireland- clinical significance, prevalence & antimicrobial resistance in MRSA, Clostridium difficile, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci, Multidrug Resistant Enterobacteriaceae; Transmission and Infection control in the Healthcare Environment- chain of transmission; Treatment and Prevention of Infection- emerging role of pre- and pro-biotics, antimicrobial activity- clinical application and adverse host reactions , vaccine- current and emerging clinical application