- Docente: Mario Marini
- Credits: 6
- SSD: BIO/05
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
-
Corso:
Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
Biodiversity and Evolution (cod. 8419)
Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Sciences and Management of Nature (cod. 8209)
Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Health Biology (cod. 8023)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should be able to define and identify parasites, know the morphology, life cycle,with vectors and hosts, sources of infection or infestation and mode of transmission of each parasite, geographical distribution, with a view of prevention and control of parasitic diseases.
The student should also be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge of morphology, biology, life cycle and distribution of possibly harmful Italian snakes, spiders and other arthropods.
Course contents
Definition of Parasite, Adaptation to Parasitic Life. Parasite-Men Contact. Method of Disease Transmission. Specificity of Vector-Parasite Relationships. Protozoa: Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Giardia, Trichomonas, Entamoeba, Isospora, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, Babesia, Balantidium, Pneumocystis; Elminta: Schistosoma, Fasciola, Dicrocoelium, Diphyllobothrium, Dipylidium, Hymenolepis, Taenia, Echinococcus, Trichuris, Trichinella, Strongyloides, Ancylostoma, Necator, Ascaris, Toxocara, Anisakis, Enterobius, Dracunculus, Wuchereria, Brugia, Mansonella, Onchocerca, Loa, Macracanthorhynchus; Artropoda: Linguatula, Demodex, Ixodidae, Argasidae, Trombiculidae, Demodecidae, Sarcoptidae, Anoplura, Emiptera, Diptera, Afaniptera.
Possibly dangerous Italian animals: Snakes: Viperidae and Colubridae; Arachnida: spiders and scorpions; Myriapoda: Chilopoda; Insects: Blattodea, Psocoptera, Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoea pityocampa; Hymenoptera: Apoidea and Vespidae.
Most important tropical snakes: Ophiophagus, Bungarus, Dendroaspis, Micrurus, Micruroides, Oxyuranus, Hydrophiini, Crotalus, Lachesis, Cerastes, Bitis, Echis.
Dangerous marine animals (Temperate and tropical seas): Cnidaria: Chironex, Carukia, Alatina, Malo, Carybdea, Pelagia, Physalia, Millepora; Annelida: Hermodice; Echinodermata: Acanthaster; Mollusca: Conus, Hapalochlaena; Chordata: Trachinus, Synanceia.
Readings/Bibliography
PowerPoint files of the lessons are available at the end of the course.
Suggested text:
De Carneri, 2004 Parassitologia generale e umana. A cura di C. Genchi e E. Pozio. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, XIII edizione.
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures and labs for observation on animal samples.
Assessment methods
Students will be assessed by a final examination composed by a written examination and an oral examination.
The written examination will last for 30 minutes; Students will be required to answer 40 questions on 8 topics.
The oral examination consists in the identification of three animal samples.
Teaching tools
PC, video projector, preserved specimens.
Office hours
See the website of Mario Marini