DM Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology: Admissions, Medical Colleges, fees, Eligibility Criteria details

Course contents:

I. Understanding of Basic Immunology

• Cells and organs of the immune system

• Innate immune system

• T and B cell development and subsets

• TCR, HLA, Ig genes

• Antigen presentation and processing

• Generation of adaptive immune response

• Cytokines, chemokines and other mediators

• Complement pathway

• Function of phagocytes, mast cells, basophils and eosinophils

• Immune response to microbes

• Infections in the immuno-compromised host

• Aging and immune system

• Vaccines

• Primary immunodeficiency disorders

• HIV/AIDS

• Types of hypersensitivity reactions

• Tolerance induction in Thymus and bone marrow

• Mechanisms leading to breakage of tolerance

• Transplantation immunology

II: Immunology of musculoskeletal diseases

• Role of innate immune system

• Role of adaptive immune system

• Role of different inflammatory mediators

• Role of Complement

• Immune biomarkers in rheumatic diseases

• Immune mechanisms in joint replacement (response to metals etc)

III. Basic Biology of rheumatic diseases

• Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology and serology, and immune

response in musculoskeletal health and disease states (but not limited to):

• Cell biology, Molecular biology, Molecular genetics, Genomics, Pharmacology pharmacokinetics, Protein chemistry and proteomics and their relevance in rheumatic diseases

• Collagen and connective tissue in health and disease

• Articular cartilage and bone in health and disease

• Skeletal muscle in health and disease

• Biomechanics of articulation and their derangements in diseases.

• Neurophysiology of pain

IV: Understanding of basic pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of rheumatic diseases

• Systemic Lupus erythematosus

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

• Rheumatic fever

• Spondyloarthropathies

• Systemic sclerosis

• Polymyositis/dermatomyositis

• Vasculitis

• Sjogren's disease

• Crystal arthritides

• Osteoarthritis

• Soft tissue rheumatism

• Auto-inflammatory syndromes

• Overlap syndromes

• Behcet's disease

• Sarcoidosis

• Amyloidosis

• Goodpasture's syndrome

• Systemic disease associated with rheumatic manifestations (metabolic, endocrine and malignancy)

• Infections of musculoskeletal system

• Organ specific autoimmune disease

• Others (Polmyalgiarheumatica, relapsing panniculitis, relapsing polychondritis, erythema nodosum)

V Basis of allergic disorders

• Basis of hypersensitivity reactions

• Pathogenesis of airway allergy

• Drug induced hypersensitivity

• Anaphylaxis and serum sickness

• Diagnosis of allergic disorders including skin test

• Treatment of allergic disorders especially immune mediate therapies (anti-cytokine therapies)

VI Basis and delivery of Immunological therapies

• Anti-inflammatory medications: steroids, NSAIDs, and antihistamines

• Immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive drugs

a. Synthetic drugs

b. Biological therapy

c. IVIG therapy

• Cell based therapies

d. Stem cell including MSCs

e. Regulatory T cells

• Gene therapy

• Vaccines

• Plasmapheresis and experimental immunotherapies

VII. Immunodiagnostics

• Understanding of principles of all basic techniques utilized in immunology

• Evaluation of immune system function (immunodeficiency tests)

• Evaluation of autoantibodies

• HLA typing

Career Options

After completing a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology), Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Specialist.

Courses After DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Course

DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a specialisation course that can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing specialisation in DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognised by NMC and NBE, where DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) –DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Course

Question: What is the full form of DM?

Answer: The full form of DM is a Doctorate of Medicine.

Question: What is a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology?

Answer: DM Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology or Doctorate of Medicine in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology also known as DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

Question: What is the duration of a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology?

Answer: DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a super specialty programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC)/NBE.

Question: What is the scope of a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology?

Answer: DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology candidate?

Answer: The DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology candidate's average salary is between Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 23 lakhs per year depending on the experience.

Question: Can you teach after completing DM Course?

Answer: Yes, candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing DM course.

Question: What is the difference between an immunologist and a rheumatologist?

Answer: Immunologists and rheumatologists are both internal medicine doctors. While immunologists treat conditions that affect your immune system, rheumatologists specialize in the musculoskeletal system.