35532 - Parasitology and Mycology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires knowledge of basic principles, correct terminology, taxonomy, morphology, epidemiology, life cycle of the parasites and mycetes which are more common and important in Veterinary Medicine, with regard also to Public Health. The student is able to recognize parasites and mycetes through macroscopic and microscopic observations of slides and preparations.

Course contents

MODULE 1 – Monica Caffara

Theoretical Lectures:

• General concepts of parasitism. Definition of parasite and host. Essential parasitological terminology. Overview of taxonomy and biology of parasites of veterinary importance. Host-parasite interactions and effects of parasites on the host. Entry and exit routes of parasites. Importance of parasites in animal health and Public Health. (3 hours)

Special Topics:

• General features of protozoa: Introduction to protozoan parasites of major importance in veterinary medicine (0.5 hours)

• Flagellated and ciliated protozoa: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of flagellated protozoa belonging to the genera Giardia, Tritrichomonas, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania (4 hours)

• Apicomplexan protozoa: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of non-cyst-forming coccidia (Eimeria, Isospora, Cystoisospora, Cryptosporidium), cyst-forming coccidia (Toxoplasma, Neospora, Sarcocystis), and blood protozoa (Babesia, Theileria) (4.5 hours)

• Platyhelminthes: Introduction to flatworms of veterinary relevance (0.5 hours)

• Digenean trematodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of digenean trematodes from the families Fasciolidae, Dicrocoeliidae, Paramphistomidae, Opisthorchiidae, Schistosomatidae (3.5 hours)

• Cestodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of cestodes from the orders Diphyllobothriidea (Diphyllobothriidae) and Cyclophyllidea (Mesocestoididae, Anoplocephalidae, Dipylidiidae, Taeniidae) (4 hours)

• Nematodes: Introduction to roundworms of major veterinary importance (0.5 hours)

• Enoplea nematodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of Enoplea nematodes from the families Trichuridae and Trichinellidae (1.5 hours)

• Chromadorea nematodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of Chromadorea nematodes from the families Ascarididae, Onchocercidae, Strongyloididae, Ancylostomatidae, Strongylidae, Chabertiidae, Trichostrongylidae, Molineidae, Dictyocaulidae, Protostrongylidae (5 hours)

• Arthropods: Introduction to arthropods of veterinary relevance (0.5 hours)

• Mites and ticks: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of arthropods from class Arachnida, subclass Acari: ticks from families Argasidae and Ixodidae (order Metastigmata), and mites (orders Astigmata, Mesostigmata, Prostigmata) (2.5 hours)

• Insects: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of arthropods from class Insecta: order Siphonaptera (fleas), Phthiraptera (lice), and Diptera (as vectors and as agents of myiasis) (2 hours)

Practical Classes (8 hours/student):

• Introduction to parasitological examination: prevention and safety in the parasitology lab

• Equipment, materials, and reagents used in parasitological diagnostics

• Main parasitological techniques applied to biological samples (faeces, blood, etc.) (2 hours)

• Protozoa (2 hours): Methods for collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of specimens for the detection of protozoan parasites. Morphological identification in fresh and stained preparations. Observation of slides.

• Helminths (2 hours): Methods for collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of specimens for the detection of helminth parasites (flatworms and roundworms). Morphological identification.

• Arthropods (2 hours): Methods for collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of specimens for the detection of arthropods of veterinary relevance. Morphological identification.

MODULE 2 – Roberta Galuppi

Theoretical Lectures:

• General characteristics of fungi: Role of fungi in nature. Morphology, physiology, distribution, reproduction, and pathogenicity factors. Classification. (2 hours)

• Veterinary-relevant fungi: Dermatophytes. Fungi of the genera Malassezia, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, Candida (4 hours)

Practical Classes (2 hours/student):

• Fungi: Methods for collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of samples for mycological examination

• Microscopic and culture techniques for the identification of fungi of veterinary importance

Readings/Bibliography

Basic material to support the preparation of the exam: powerpoint presentations and other teaching materials used by the teachers during the course and uploaded on Piattaforma "Virtuale" (https://virtuale.unibo.it/)

Recommended for insights:

Pampiglione S., Canestri Trotti G., Guida allo studio della parassitologia, Casa Editrice Esculapio, Bologna, 1990.

Deplazes P., Eckert J., Mathis A., von Samson-Himmelstjerna G., Zahner H., Parasitology for Veterinary Medicine, Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen, 2016.

Piergili Fioretti D., Moretti A. Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie in Medicina Veterinaria, Bononia University Press, 2020.

Tampieri M.P. Micologia Veterinaria, Uninova, Parma, 2004  

Peano A. Capitolo 19 "Micologia", in Microbiologia e Immunologia III edizione, ed. Poli G., Casa Editrice Edra, Milano, 2017.

Teaching methods

The course (4 ECTS; 48 hours total) includes both theoretical lectures (38 hours) and practical laboratory sessions (10 hours × 4 groups). It is structured into two modules:

• Module 1: Parasitology (32 hours of lectures and 10 hours × 4 of practical sessions)

• Module 2: Mycology (6 hours of lectures)

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.

Given the nature of the activities and teaching methods used, attendance in this course requires prior completion of:

• Modules 1 and 2 of the e-learning platform, and

• Module 3 on specific training in health and safety in academic environments.
  Information regarding dates and participation procedures for Module 2 can be found in the dedicated section of the Degree Programme website.

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

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to assess the achievement of the main learning objectives, in particular the student’s knowledge and ability to effectively and comprehensively collect the notions acquired during the course.

The exam of the Integrated Course in Microbiology and Parasitology, which includes the modules of Virology, Bacteriology and Immunology, and Parasitology and Mycology, is carried out jointly. It is not possible to take the different parts separately, and individual parts of the exam that may have been passed are not considered valid.

An exception is made for the exam session in November, in which second-year students currently enrolled may take separately the partial exam in Virology, Bacteriology and Immunology. Only those who pass the partial exam in Virology, Bacteriology and Immunology in November may then take separately the partial exam in Parasitology and Mycology starting from January. The result of the partial exam in Virology, Bacteriology and Immunology in November remains valid for one year from the date on which it was taken.

The final grade of the Integrated Course in “Microbiology and Parasitology” is obtained as the weighted average of the modules that make it up.

The student’s evaluation in the module of Parasitology and Mycology consists of a written exam divided into two parts:

First part:

• Identification of a parasite, provided at the exam in the form of an image or a specimen, including 4 open-ended questions regarding:

  • Taxonomic classification (max 3 points),

  • Morphology (max 3 points),

  • Host(s) (max 3 points),

  • Life cycle (max 5 points).

The minimum score required is 9 points, and the maximum is 14 points.

Second part:

• 9 true/false or multiple-choice questions, worth 1 point each if answered correctly, or 2 points if also correctly justified. The minimum score required is 9 points, and the maximum is 18 points.

Students have a total of 2 hours to complete the integrated course exam.

Students who have passed the partial exam in Virology, Bacteriology and Immunology in November have 1 hour for the partial exam in Parasitology and Mycology.

The evaluation is expressed on a scale of thirty (out of 30) and is considered passed when the student obtains a minimum score of 18/30; the maximum score achievable by providing all correct and complete answers is 30 with honors (cum laude).

Failure to pass the written test requires the repetition of the entire integrated exam in Microbiology and Parasitology.

The correction of the written test takes place within 5 working days from the exam date. After 5 working days from the exam date, the result is uploaded to [https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm ]; students then have 48 hours to review it.

In the case of a positive result (at least 18/30 in all the modules that make up the course), after 48 hours from the publication of the results, the grade will be automatically accepted and recorded by the designated lecturer.

If, however, candidates wish to reject the grade, they must inform all lecturers of the modules that make up the exam by email no later than 48 hours from the publication of the results.

If students wish to review their exam paper, they must contact the lecturers of the different modules by email to arrange an appointment.

Students have the right to refuse the registration of a positive grade at least once (according to the University’s teaching regulations, ART.16, paragraph 5).

During the tests, the use of support material such as textbooks, notes, and electronic devices is not allowed.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) must contact the lecturer by email to request adaptations to teaching during lessons or in the final assessment, copying in CC the reference staff of the dedicated disability or SLD service.

The lecturer responsible for grade recording for the integrated course is Prof. Monica Caffara.

Teaching tools

The theoretical lectures take place in a classroom supplied with multimedia equipment (web-connected PC and PC video-projector), with powerpoint presentations; practical lessons take place in teaching lab equipped for parasitological analyses, microscopy and staining techniques. Futhermore parasitological and mycological collections will be used by the teahcers during the practical lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Monica Caffara

See the website of Roberta Galuppi