FELLOWSHIP IN Gastroenterology

Curriculum

Module 1: Introduction to Infectious Diseases & Core Principles

• Classification of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites)
• Host–pathogen interaction & immune response
• Fever patterns and clinical approach to PUO
• Diagnostic approach to infectious syndromes
• Types of infections: community-acquired, nosocomial, opportunistic
• Empirical vs. targeted antibiotic therapy
• Principles of antimicrobial pharmacology
• Antibiotic classes: beta-lactams, macrolides, aminoglycosides, etc.

Module 2: Systemic Infections I – Respiratory, GI, and CNS

• Pneumonia (CAP, HAP, VAP): diagnosis, scoring systems (CURB-65)
• Tuberculosis: active, latent, miliary TB
• GI Infections:
  • Bacterial: Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli
  • Viral: Rotavirus, Norovirus
  • Protozoal: Giardia, Entamoeba
  • Hepatitis A & E: clinical features and public health impact
• CNS infections:
  • Meningitis (bacterial, viral, TB meningitis)
  • Encephalitis (HSV, Japanese encephalitis)
  • Brain abscess and neurocysticercosis

Module 3: Systemic Infections II – GU, Skin/Soft Tissue, Bone

• UTIs (cystitis, pyelonephritis): uncomplicated vs. complicated
• Sexually Transmitted Infections:
  • Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis
  • Genital herpes, HPV
• Skin and Soft Tissue Infections:
  • Cellulitis, erysipelas, abscesses
  • Necrotizing fasciitis, diabetic foot infections
• Bone & Joint Infections:
  • Septic arthritis, osteomyelitis (acute/chronic)
  • Prosthetic joint infections
  • Bite wound infections (animal/human bites)

Module 4: Tropical & Vector-Borne Diseases

• Malaria: diagnosis, treatment, resistance
• Dengue: grading, warning signs, fluid management
• Chikungunya, Zika virus
• Leptospirosis: clinical features and complications
• Rickettsial infections (Scrub typhus)
• Helminthic infections: Ascaris, hookworm, strongyloides
• Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)
• Schistosomiasis and filariasis
• Approach to a returning traveler with fever

Module 5: HIV/AIDS and Other Chronic Viral Infections

• HIV pathophysiology and transmission
• WHO clinical staging, CD4 count interpretation, viral load monitoring
• Initiating and monitoring ART (first-line regimens)
• Management of opportunistic infections: Pneumocystis pneumonia, TB, Cryptococcus, toxoplasmosis
• Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)
• HIV in pregnancy and vertical transmission prevention
• HIV & Hepatitis B/C co-infection
• Pre-exposure (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

Module 6: Infection Control & Antimicrobial Stewardship

• Principles of infection control: standard, contact, droplet precautions
• Hand hygiene, PPE use, needle-stick injury management
• Surveillance of HAIs: CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI, VAP
• Outbreak investigation and response
• Disinfection and sterilization techniques
• Hospital antibiograms: interpretation and application
• Antibiotic stewardship: de-escalation, IV to oral switch, duration optimization, restricted antibiotic policies

Module 7: Microbiology Laboratory & Diagnostic Techniques

• Sample collection: blood, urine, sputum, pus, CSF
• Gram staining, AFB staining, KOH mount
• Blood cultures and culture media
• Serological tests: Widal, Weil-Felix, ELISA
• PCR and molecular diagnostics (GeneXpert, multiplex PCR)
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST)
• Laboratory biosafety and specimen transport protocols

Module 8: Tuberculosis & National Disease Control Programs

• Types of TB: pulmonary, extrapulmonary (pleural, lymph node, spinal)
• Drug-sensitive vs. drug-resistant TB (MDR, XDR)
• Diagnosis: sputum AFB, CBNAAT, Line Probe Assay
• National TB Program (RNTCP/NTEP guidelines)
• TB in special populations: HIV, diabetes, pregnancy, children
• Contact tracing, DOTS implementation
• Basics of leprosy diagnosis and management
• Surveillance, screening, and contact management strategies

Module 9: Pediatric & Special Population Infections

• Pediatric infections: pneumonia, measles, mumps, chickenpox
• Neonatal infections: sepsis, TORCH infections
• Vaccination schedule and catch-up immunization
• Infections in pregnancy: listeria, toxoplasmosis, CMV
• Geriatric population: UTI, pneumonia, pressure ulcers
• Basic concepts in infections in cancer/chemotherapy patients
• Fever in transplant recipients: early vs. late infections