82710 - Core Clinical Training in Transmissible Parasitic Diseases

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is able to correctly approach the management of parasitoses (many of which are zoonoses) in animal organisms (hosts), both by applying basic diagnostic tools for the recognition of parasites and the clinical forms related to them (in pets, in the context of animal production and food safety), and by correctly assessing the consequences of the host/parasite/environment relationship for the purpose of rational management of animal parasites.

Course contents

The internship of parasitic communicable diseases is part of the Integrated Course (CI) "Practice of anatomical-pathological diagnostics and communicable diseases" which also includes: the course of Technique of autopsies and necropsy diagnostics, the internship of pathological anatomy and the internship of infectious communicable diseases.

At the end of the (C.I):

- the student knows the necropsy techniques and the anatomic pathology diagnostic methods and is able to apply them in order to recognize the cause of a disease or death of an animal. The student is able to achieve a post-mortem diagnosis, complete a post-mortem report and understand the general principles of interpretation and reporting of microscopic changes.

- the student is able to manage parasites (including zoonotic agents) in animals (hosts) by applying basic diagnostic tools for the recognition of parasites and the clinical forms in companion animals, in the context of animal production and food safety, and by evaluating the consequences of the host / parasite / environment relationship for a rational management of parasites.

- He is able to evaluate the welfare and biosecurity aspects of bovine / ovine-caprine farms; is able to evaluate the management and structural aspects of kennels and shelters; is able to propose corrective actions and improvement interventions in shelters and kennels;

The teacher responsible for the verbalization is Professor Barbara Bacci.

The internship of Parasitic Diseases is divided into three modules, managed by different teachers.

MODULE 1: ROBERTA GALUPPI.

The course provides an in-depth study about diagnosis and prophylaxis of parasitic diseases in companion animals. Activities will focus on: :

- application, in the laboratory, of the most common parasitological diagnostic techniques for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases of pets on samples of faeces or skin scrapings collected during visits to kennels or catteries as part of the trainership of infectious diseases;

- evaluation of laboratory results with reference to anamnestic and clinical data; approach to bibliographic research for specific insights; above all prophylactic approach to the management of parasitosis, answer to the FAQs of the owners and illustration of a recent scientific article on the subject.

MODULE 2: GALUPPI ROBERTA

The course provides an in-depth study of parasitological aspects affecting livestock, taking into account the different production systems. Activities will focus on:

• the application of the most common laboratory parasitological diagnostic techniques for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases in livestock, using fecal samples or skin scrapings collected during farm visits as part of the trainership of infectious diseases;
• the interpretation of laboratory results and discussion of the main parasite prevention and control measures to be implemented at the farm level.

MODULE 3: ANDREA GUSTINELLI

- Collective discussion of papers prepared by students on topics related to fish-borne parasitic zoonoses previously provided on “Virtuale” website.

- Application, in laboratory,  of diagnostic techniques for the search for fish-borne zoonotic parasites

During laboratory activities it is mandatory to wear a coat and closed footwear. When necessary, PPE suitable for carrying out specific activities, such as overalls and disposable gloves, will be provided.

The Syllabus of the course unit and the list of EAEVE Day One Competences that the course unit contributes to achieving can be viewed on the dedicated page

 

Readings/Bibliography

Operational instructions relating to the most common parasitological laboratory techniques and bibliographic notes relating to parasitic zoonoses of fish origin will be made available to students on the “virtuale” website.

Teaching methods

Module 1, dedicated to pets, includes a first practical laboratory phase dedicated to the implementation and study of the laboratory analyzes used for parasitological diagnosis in pets, applied to faecal samples and/or skin scrapings collected at kennels and/or or catteries during the guided visits related to the infectious disease training. A second part will be dedicated to group work that leads to identifying a correct diagnostic and prophylactic approach to the management of the parasitosis found, to formulating a correct parasitological diagnostic report, to answering the FAQs of the owners, finally discussing a recent scientific article on the topic. This work will result in a presentation which will form an integral part of the final discussion envisaged for the internship in infectious diseases of companion animals.

 Module 2, dedicated to livestock, consists of an initial practical laboratory session focused on the implementation and further exploration of the laboratory techniques commonly used for the parasitological diagnosis of livestock diseases. These techniques will be applied to fecal samples and/or skin scrapings collected from farms during the guided field visits carried out as part of the trainership in Infectious Diseases. The second part of the module will consist of group work aimed at developing an appropriate diagnostic and parasite control approach for the management of the parasitic infections identified, preparing a proper diagnostic report, and critically discussing a recent scientific article on the topic. This work will result in a presentation which will form an integral part of the final discussion envisaged for the internship in infectious diseases of livestock.

Module 3, dedicated to parasitic zoonoses of fish origin, includes a first part of collective discussion with presentation by the students of an overview of the main zoonoses of fish origin (material previously provided on virtual), and a second part relating to practical application in the laboratory of diagnostic techniques for the detection of zoonotic fish parasites in marine and freshwater fish.

All students attending laboratories and farms for study and research purposes are equated, with regard to their safety, to workers and as such must be trained on the correct procedures to be followed in activities with specific risks. The attendance of these training activities requires all the students of modules 1 and 2 to carry out e-learning and to participate in module 3 of specific training on safety and health in the study places. Information on dates and methods of attendance of module 3 can be consulted in the specific section of the degree program website.

All students who attend laboratories and farms for study and research purposes are equalized, with regard to their safety, to workers and as such must be trained on the correct procedures to be followed in activities and to specific risks.

Given the nature of the teaching activities and instructional methods adopted, attendance requires successful completion of Modules 1, 2, and 3 of the University's e-learning health and safety training programme for study environments.

Participation in practical classes and laboratory activities requires students to wear a laboratory coat and appropriate footwear. Personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the specific laboratory activities, such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided.

Students with any DISABILITIES or SLDs can contact the teacher by e-mail, to have adaptations to teaching during the lesson phase, by entering the reference staff of the specific University DISABILITY or SLD service from which followed, and the referent of the Department who is currently Dr. Fabiana Trombetti.

Assessment methods

The internship will result in an qualification, that will be evaluated:

 Module 1 - Pets: Presentation of the final report (with the help of a Power point).

Module 2 - Livestock: Presentation of the final report (with the help of a Power point).

Module 3- collective discussion on zoonoses of fish origin and support with the teacher during laboratory activities

It will also be evaluated the attendance at the internship, that will be ascertained by the staff who carried out the internship activity for each day of presence through call.

Per quanto riguarda la verifica dell’apprendimento, l’uso dell’IA è vietato. Ogni utilizzo costituisce violazione dell’integrità accademica.

The internship of parasitic communicable diseases is part of the CI "Practice of anatomical-pathological diagnostics and communicable diseases" which also includes: the course of Technique of autopsies and necropsy diagnostics, the internship of pathological anatomy and the internship of infectious communicable diseases.

It should be noted that the teacher responsible for the verbalization is Professor Barbara Bacci. At the end of the Traineeships in Pathological Anatomy (35678), Communicable Infectious Diseases (82709) and Transmissible Parasitic Diseases (82710), a qualification is obtained. The final grade of the Integrated Course 69959 will correspond to the grade obtained in teaching 35677 - Technique of Autopsies and Necropsy Diagnostics.

Teaching tools

Laboratories equipped for the realization of parasitological and / or molecular analysis, computer and projector

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Galuppi

See the website of Andrea Gustinelli