39299 - Mycology and Parasitology

Learning outcomes

The student should recognize the main characteristics of protozoa, helminths and fungi that are responsible for human infections and the laboratory methods for identification of these microorganisms.

Course contents

- Protozoa: characteristics and infections in the human host. Arthropode-borne protozoan infections: malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis. Food-borne protozoal infections: toxoplasmosis; giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, amebiasis. Infections caused by other protozoa such as Trichomonas vaginalis and Acanthamoeba spp.

- General characteristics of helminths and helmint infections in the human host. Intestinal helminthiasis, systemic infections caused by helmints such as schistosomiasis.

- General characteristics of fungi and fungal infections in the human hosts. Cutaneous and muco-cutaneous micosis (dermatophytes and Candida albicans) and systemic, opportunistic infections (candidiasis, aspergillosis).

Readings/Bibliography

The lecture slides and teaching materials provided by the instructor on the University of Bologna's Virtuale platform constitute the required study material for the course and are sufficient for examination preparation.

Recommended readings (for further study):

De Carneri- Parassitologia generale e umana. F. Bruschi e E. Porzio. Quattordicesima edizione Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2023 (available at Biblioteca Dip. Scienze Biologiche Geologiche e Ambientali - BiGeA- Sezione Biologia",via Selmi)

Micologia Medica. Caretta G. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

These textbooks are recommended as supplementary reading for students who wish to deepen their understanding of the topics covered during the course. Consultation of these books is not required for exam preparation.

 

Teaching methods

The course consists of face-to-face lectures supported by guided observation of the morphological characteristics of eukaryotic pathogens and microscopic images. Practical demonstrations using preserved biological specimens are included to help students recognize the main morphological features of medically important parasitic worms.

The teaching materials presented during each lecture are made available electronically through the University's Virtuale platform shortly before the corresponding class.

Throughout the course, students will complete multiple-choice quizzes and short learning activities on Virtuale. Among these, the "Microbiology in the News" activity invites students to read selected news articles and updates on emerging infections and public health issues. The aim is to help students relate the topics covered in the course to professional practice and current public health challenges.

Assessment methods

Mycology and parasitology Module: Oral exam (2 questions for each student).

Final evaluation marks will consider the 5 modules of the Integrated Course:

- Infectious Diseases (1CFU)
- Mycology and Parasitology (2CFU)
-Mycology and Parasitology Techniques (1 CFU)
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine (1 CFU)
- Professional Code of Conduct (1CFU)

The final evaluation will be obtained by combining marks obtained from each module (considering the CFU of each module within the Integrated Course).

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the University's Disability and Specific Learning Disorders Support Service as early as possible: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en . The Service will assess individual needs and, where appropriate, propose reasonable accommodations. Any proposed accommodations must be submitted to the course teachers for approval at least 15 days before the scheduled assessment. The teachers will evaluate the appropriateness of the requested accommodations in relation to the intended learning outcomes and the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supported by Power Point slides. Slides will be online available at the beginning of each lecture. The teaching material is available at https://virtuale.unibo.it/ by using student's username and password

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Varani