75764 - Parasitic Diseases of Aquatic Animals

Learning outcomes

Main aim of the course is to furnish to the student a good knowledge about parasitic diseases of fish, molluscs and crustaceans, with main reference to their etiopathogenesis, prevention and control. Furthermore the student will acquire practical skills on diagnosis of main parasitic diseases of aquatic animals.

Course contents

The course is organized in two modules: Parasitic Diseases of fish (60 hours) and Parasitic Diseases of crustaceans and molluscs (20 hours).
Contents of Parasitic Diseases of fish:
General section: Introduction to parasitology - Basic terminology in parasitology - Definition of the “host/parasite” relations with particular reference to aquatic organisms and aquatic environment - What is a “parasitic disease” and which are the main abiotic and biotic factors influencing its occurrence in aquatic animals, with main reference to confined environments - Illustration of the life cycle of parasites owing to several taxa and factors conditioning the different phases of their cycle - Pathogenic effects of the parasites: basic concepts of pathogenesis in relation to aetiological agent and to localization in the host - Importance of fish parasites in Public Health - Special section: Taxonomic approach to the most important parasites of aquatic animals - Parasitic diseases due to Sarcomastigophora (Amiloodiniosis, Piscinoodiniosis, Ichthyobodosis, Cryptobiosis, Enteric infections by flagellates, Trypanosomiasis, Amebiasis) - Parasitic diseases due to Ciliophora (Ictioftiriasis, Cryptocaryonosis, Chilodonellosis, Trichodinosis, Infections due to sessiline peritrichs and by Scuticociliatida) - Parasitic diseases due to Apicomplexa (Coccidiosis) - Parasitic diseases due to Microsporidia - Parasitic diseases due to Myxozoa (Whirling Disease and Proliferative Kidney Disease of salmonids, Enteromyxosis, Sphaeerosporosis, minor Myxosporidioses) - Parasitic diseases due to Platyhelminthes Monogena (Dactylogyrosis., Gyrodactylosis, Diplectanosis, Sparicotylosis) - Parasitic diseases due to Platyhelminthes Digenea (Opisthorchiasis, Diplostomosis, Clinostomosis, Sanguinicolosis) - Parasitic diseases due to Platyhelminthes Cestoda (Dyphillobothriasis, Triaenophorosis, Ligulosis, Botrhiocephalosis) - Parasitic diseases due to Nematoda (Anguillicolosis, Anisakidosis) - Parasitic diseases due to Acanthocephala - Parasitic diseases due to Arthropoda Crustacea - Mycotic diseases (Saprolegniosis, Ichthyophonosis).
Contents of Parasitic Diseases of crustaceans and molluscs:
Parasitic diseases of crustaceans: Microsporidiosis, Aphanomycosis or Plague of crayfish and other mycotic diseases.
Parasitic diseases of bivalve and cephalopod molluscs: Bonamiosis, Marteiliosis, Perkinsosis, coccidiosis, diseases due to Myxozoa, helminths and copepod crustaceans.

Readings/Bibliography

Needful:

Powerpoint presentations used by the teacher during the course and uploaded on the Piattaforma "Insegnamenti OnLine" (https://iol.unibo.it/)

Reccomended for insights:

Fish Diseases and Disorders. Vol I. Protozoan and Metazoan Infections (2006), Ed. P.T.K. Woo, CAB Intern., Wallingford, UK.

Fish parasites. Pathobiology and Protection (2011), Eds. P.T.K. Woo & K Buchmann, CABI, Wallingford, UK.

Teaching methods

The module of Parasitic Diseases of fish is composed of 44 theoretical hours and 16 practical hours, while the module of Parasitic Diseases of crustaceans and molluscs is composed of 16 theoretical hours and 4 practical hours. The theoretical lectures take place in a teaching room properly supplied with web-connected PC and PC video-projector, with the backing of power-point slides. The practical lectures, carried out in a properly equipped teaching lab, provide for a constant presence of the teacher and its co-operators together with the students, with introductive and explanatory discussions. Every practical training activity is carried out singly by the students and submitted to discussion with the teacher.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning is through a final exam, which ensures the acquisition of knowledge and skills expected by conducting a written exam, without the aid of notes or books, followed by an oral examination composed of one question on contents of the module Parasitic Diseases of fish and one question on contents of the module Parasitic Disease of crustaceans and molluscs. The written part consists of the compilation of a synopsis of a parasitic disease in aquatic animals supported by a parasitic agent that a student must demonstrate to recognize microscopic observation. This part of the examination is a test of the ability of recognition of parasitic agents in aquatic animals as part of diagnostic procedures learned during the course. To be eligible to take the oral exam, the student has to obtain in the written test a minimum score of 18 points. Students who have obtained at least 18 points will sustain the oral test, which aims at testing the knowledge acquired on the topics covered during the two modules of the course as well as to assess the methodological and critical skills acquired especially with regard to the prevention and control of parasitic diseases in aquatic animals with reference to animal health and issues of public health.

Teaching tools

PC video-projector, web-connected PC, teaching lab equipped for parasitological analyses, microscopy and staining techniques of biological specimens.

Office hours

See the website of Marialetizia Fioravanti

See the website of Andrea Gustinelli