- Docente: Stefania Varani
- Credits: 1
- SSD: MEDS-03/A
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Medicine and Surgery (cod. 5904)
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from Jan 12, 2027 to Jan 19, 2027
Learning outcomes
The student should recognize the main characteristics of viruses, protozoa and helminths that are responsible for neglected tropical infections and for travel-related infections. The student should be aware of the transmission routes, the main diagnostic tools, the global distribution and surveillance of these infections.
Course contents
- Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
- Leishmaniasis
- Arthropod-borne viral infections: Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus
- Infection caused by intestinal helminths: Soil-transmitted helminths, strongyloidiasis, infections caused by Taenia spp.
- Schistosomiasis
Readings/Bibliography
Useful websites:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook
https://www.who.int/health-topics/neglected-tropical-diseases#tab=tab_1
https://www.youtube.com/@ntdworld/videos
Teaching methods
The course consists of in-class lectures complemented by practical demonstrations using preserved biological specimens to enable students to recognize the main morphological characteristics of medically important parasitic worms.
The teaching materials presented during each lecture are made available electronically through the University's Virtuale platform before the corresponding class.
Asynchronous learning activities on Virtuale complement classroom teaching and include selected reading materials and multimedia resources. These may include reports and updates from international health organizations (e.g., WHO) as well as articles from reputable international news sources. The aim is to place the course content within the context of current global public health challenges, with particular emphasis on neglected tropical diseases, their burden in low- and middle-income countries, and the health inequalities associated with a globalized world.
Assessment methods
The final exam consists of a questionnaire with multiple choice questions. The test contains 21 multiple choice questions, the time available to the student for the written test is 30 minutes. The questions will be on topics related to the course. For each quiz there is only one correct answer. The score that will be calculated is +1.5 for each correct answer and 0 if the answer is wrong or absent. The test is passed with a minimum score of 18/30 (corresponding to 12 correct answers). A grade will not be given but the test will only result as passed / failed. During the test the use of support material such as textbooks, notes, computer supports is not allowed.
Teaching tools
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
SDGs
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.