B8449 - Parasitology and Mycology

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student approaches in a proper way the general concepts of animal parasitology and mycology. In particular, the student: knows the basic principles, correct terminology, taxonomy, morphology and life cycle of the most common and important parasites and mycetes in Veterinary Medicine and Public Health; is able to recognise parasites and mycetes through macroscopic and microscopic observations.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course “B8346 - IMMUNOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY, AND PARASITOLOGY”.

The integrated course "Immunology, microbiology, and parasitology" aims to provide the student with adequate knowledge of the taxonomy, structure and morphology, biology, and host interactions of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi of veterinary relevance, as well as the associated sampling and analysis techniques. Additionally, the student gains expertise in the pathogenic mechanisms of inflammation, immune defenses, and immunology, including the principles of vaccinology.

The Integrated Course “B8346 - IMMUNOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY, AND PARASITOLOGY” contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.04, 1.10, 1.12, 1.22, and 1.35.

COURSE CONTENT - PARASITOLOGY (Perla Tedesco)

The syllabus is structured as follows

Lectures (28 hours)

General concepts of parasitism. Definition of parasite and host. Essential terminology in parasitology. Basic taxonomy and biology of parasites of veterinary importance. Host–parasite relationships and the effects of parasites on the host. Routes of parasite entry into and exit from the host. Importance of parasites in animal health and public health (2 hours).

General introduction to protozoa: Introduction to the protozoan parasites of greatest importance in veterinary medicine (0.5 hours).

Flagellate and Ciliate Protozoa: Classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of parasitic flagellates belonging to the genera Giardia, Tritrichomonas, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania (4 hours).

Apicomplexan Protozoa: Classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of non-cyst-forming coccidia of the genera Eimeria, Isospora, Cystoisospora, and Cryptosporidium; cyst-forming coccidia of the genera Toxoplasma, Neospora, and Sarcocystis; and the hemoprotozoa Babesia and Theileria (4 hours).

Platyhelminthes: Introduction to the flatworms of greatest importance in veterinary medicine (0.5 hours).

Digenean Trematodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of digenean trematodes belonging to the families Fasciolidae, Dicrocoeliidae, Paramphistomidae, Opisthorchiidae, and Schistosomatidae (3 hours).

Cestodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of cestodes belonging to the orders Diphyllobothriidea (family Diphyllobothriidae) and Cyclophyllidea (families Mesocestoididae, Anoplocephalidae, Dipylidiidae, and Taeniidae) (4 hours).

Nematodes: Introduction to the nematodes (roundworms) of greatest importance in veterinary medicine (0.5 hours).

Enoplean Nematodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of nematodes of the class Enoplea belonging to the families Trichuridae and Trichinellidae (1.5 hours).

Chromadorean Nematodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of nematodes of the class Chromadorea belonging to the families Ascarididae, Onchocercidae, Strongyloididae, Ancylostomatidae, Strongylidae, Chabertiidae, Trichostrongylidae, Molineidae, Dictyocaulidae, and Protostrongylidae (4 hours).

Arthropods: Introduction to the arthropods of greatest importance in veterinary medicine.
Mites and Ticks (Acari): Classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of arthropods of the class Arachnida, subclass Acari, including ticks of the families Argasidae and Ixodidae (order Metastigmata) and "true mites" (orders Astigmata, Mesostigmata, and Prostigmata) (2 hours).

Insects (Insecta): Classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of arthropods of the class Insecta, including the order Siphonaptera (fleas), the order Phthiraptera (lice), and the order Diptera (as vectors and agents of myiasis) (2 hours).

 

Practical sessions (6 hours per student)

Collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of specimens for parasitological examination aimed at the detection of parasites. Morphological identification by direct wet mount and stained preparations. Microscopic examination of prepared slides (2 hours).

Preparation of fecal samples for microscopic examination: sedimentation, flotation, FLOTAC, and Baermann techniques (2 hours).

Collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of specimens for the parasitological examination of arthropods and fungi of veterinary importance. Morphological identification (2 hours).

 

COURSE CONTENT - MYCOLOGY (Roberta Galuppi)

Lectures (4 hours)

General Mycology: morphology, physiology, ecology, reproduction, pathogenicity factors, and classification of fungi (1.5 hours).

Fungi of Veterinary Importance: dermatophytes and fungi belonging to the genera Malassezia, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, and Candida (2.5 hours).

Practical sessions (2 hours per student)
Microscopic and culture-based techniques for the identification of fungi of veterinary importance.

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

Teaching methods

Theoretical lectures are conducted in a suitably equipped classroom with a PC connected to the internet and a video projector, using PowerPoint slide presentations as teaching support.

Practical lessons take place in a dedicated teaching laboratory, under the continuous supervision of the instructor and their teaching assistants. Introductory and explanatory explanations accompany all laboratory activities. Biosafety measures specific to parasitology and mycology laboratories will be explained and applied throughout the practical sessions.

Each practical activity is carried out individually or in small groups by the students and is subject to evaluation and discussion with instructors and assistants. At the end of each session, students are required to complete a learning assessment sheet.

Considering the activities and teaching methods adopted in this course, students are required to successfully complete Modules 1, 2, and 3 of the e-learning safety training for study environments before attending the course.

Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

Assessment methods

The assessment for the Integrated Course unit “B8346 - IMMUNOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY, AND PARASITOLOGY” consists of 3 parts, aimed at assessing the acquisition of expected knowledge:

First part: a written multiple-choice test including 30 questions covering all topics of B8433 BACTERIOLOGY (12 questions), B8433 IMMUNOLOGY (6 questions) and B8458 VIROLOGY AND VACCINOLOGY (12 questions). Each correct answer grants 1 point, while incorrect or blank answers grant 0 points. No supplementary materials or electronic devices (e.g., calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) may be used during the exam, except for those explicitly allowed by the instructor.

Second part: a written test covering all topics of B8449 PARASITOLOGY AND MYCOLOGY composed by 1) 4 open-ended questions on parasite identification, provided at the exam in the form of an image or a specimen (Taxonomic classification max 3 points, Morphology max 3 points, Host(s) max 3 points, Life cycle max 5 points); and 2) 9 true/false or multiple-choice questions, worth 1 point each if answered correctly, or 2 points if also correctly justified, while incorrect or blank answers grant 0 points.

Third part: a written test including 12 questions covering all topics of B8443 INFLAMMATION AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY, aimed at assessing the acquisition of expected knowledge. Six out of 12 questions are multiple choice questions and six are short answer questions. One question includes one or two macroscopic or microscopic images similar to those discussed during the theoretical lectures and the practical sessions. Each correct answer grants 1 point, while blank or incorrect answers grant 0 points.

The written test lasts 2 hours. A minimum score of 36/66 is needed to pass the exam. The final grade is expressed out of 30. A minimum final grade of 18/30 (corresponding to a minimum score of 36/66) is required. A score equal or higher than 61/66 correspond to 30+Laude. Furthermore, to pass the exam, for each teaching a minimum grade is needed: 6 points for B8433 BACTERIOLOGY, 3 points for B8433 IMMUNOLOGY, 6 points for B8458 VIROLOGY AND VACCINOLOGY, 12 points for B8449 PARASITOLOGY AND MYCOLOGY, and 6 points for B8443 INFLAMMATION AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY.

No supplementary materials or electronic devices (e.g., calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) may be used during the exam, except for those explicitly allowed by the instructor.

Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.

The final grade will be published on the AlmaEsami platform (https://almaesami.unibo.it/?lang=en ) within 5 working days of the date of the exam. Grades for the individual parts will be available for review together with the tests on a date set by the teachers. Students may reject the final grade by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is Prof. Andrea Balboni

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

With regard to the learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Theoretical lectures are delivered in a classroom equipped with multimedia facilities (computer with internet access and digital projector), primarily using PowerPoint presentations. Practical sessions are conducted in teaching laboratories equipped for parasitological analyses, microscopy, and staining techniques. Parasitological and mycological specimen collections are also used by the instructors during practical classes.

Students experiencing difficulties in understanding the course material may arrange an individual meeting with the instructor for clarification by contacting them via email to schedule an appointment.

Office hours

See the website of Perla Tedesco

See the website of Roberta Galuppi