Microbiology and Virology
The Microbiology and Virology Unit is dedicated to the microbiological diagnosis of infectious diseases through advanced diagnostic techniques, including microscopy, culture methods, molecular biology, and serology. These methods are employed to detect bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi in biological samples, with the overarching goal of providing rapid and accurate diagnoses. The unit operates under stringent protocols and procedures aligned with national and international guidelines and actively participates in External Quality Assessment Programs (UK NEQAS).
All biological samples are identified using a barcode system, ensuring complete traceability across every stage of the process—from sample collection to the application of analytical methodologies and the final report archiving.
The unit offers comprehensive laboratory diagnostic services to:
Annual Performance Metrics
Scientific Activities
The Operative Unit engages in various scientific and research activities, including:
Participation in National Multicenter Studies:
- Evaluating the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial strains isolated from specific sites
- Monitoring and analyzing trends in bacterial resistance
Attività Scientifica
L’attività scientifica dell’Unità Operativa consiste principalmente in:
Partecipazione a studi multicentrici nazionali:
- per la valutazione della sensibilità agli antibiotici di ceppi batterici isolati da siti particolari
- sulle resistenze batteriche
- partecipazione a studi multicentrici regionali sulle micosi invasive
- collaborazione con istituti universitari, società scientifiche e farmaceutiche in indagini policentriche microbiologiche ed epidemiologiche
- sorveglianza regionale delle salmonelle, CRE, MDRo, etc.
- partecipazione ed organizzazione di convegni e congressi di microbiologia clinica
- organizzazione di corsi di formazione aziendali di microbiologia clinica
- organizzazione di corsi di formazione aziendali di microbiologia clinica
- studio delle resistenze dei batteri MDRo
- valutazione di nuovi test diagnostici
- attività didattica rivolta agli studenti del corso di laurea universitario per Infermiere
- attività di tutorato a specializzandi e laureandi provenienti da diverse ’Università
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- Microscopic examination of biological samples
- Direct antigen detection
- Culture testing with subsequent identification and antibiotic susceptibility profiling
- Data collection and the establishment of a sentinel system for nosocomial infection surveillance, producing periodic and timely reports on hospital-acquired infections and trends in antibiotic resistance
Quantitative molecular diagnostics, including: Herpes Viruses (CMV, HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV, HHV-6); Respiratory Viruses (RSV, Influenza A and B); Chlamydia trachomatis; HPV (screening and genotyping); Molecular diagnostics for meningitis pathogens (N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, L. monocytogenes, S. agalactiae, E. coli); Syndromic molecular diagnostics for respiratory and gastrointestinal infections; Detection of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE); Diagnostics for Clostridioides difficile and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex; Recently introduced: molecular diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2.
Diagnostic services for fungal infections, with a focus on the follow-up of immunocompromised patients, such as oncology and transplant cases.
Detection of specific antibodies and antigens for viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa using advanced immunoassay techniques, including immunoenzymatic assays, indirect immunofluorescence (IFA), and chemiluminescence.
Direct detection of parasites in stool or blood samples, targeting various stages of their biological life cycle.
Syndromic molecular diagnostics simultaneously identifies 20 targets in respiratory infections, 22 targets in gastrointestinal infections, and 14 targets in meningitis.
Head of Operative Unit:
Dr. Annamaria Calvo
Operative Unit Contacts
Biologi