B9268 - PARASSITOLOGIA E MICOLOGIA

Learning outcomes

Knows the basic principles, the correct terminology, the taxonomy, morphology and life cycle of the main parasites and mycetes in Veterinary Medicine and Public Health. He/she is able to recognise parasites and mycetes through both macroscopic and microscopic observations.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course "B9093 – Agents of Transmissible Diseases and Immunology."

Upon completion of the integrated course, students will have acquired knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of microbiology, immunology, vaccinology, parasitology, and mycology relevant to veterinary medicine, with particular emphasis on the taxonomy, biology, morphology, life cycles, and host–pathogen interactions of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi of major importance in Veterinary Medicine and Public Health.

Students will also acquire the knowledge and practical skills required to apply the main immunization strategies, correctly collect, preserve, and transport biological samples, and select the most appropriate diagnostic tests in microbiology, parasitology, and mycology. They will be able to critically interpret diagnostic test results, recognize their limitations, and identify parasites and fungi through both macroscopic and microscopic examination.

The Integrated Course "Agents of Transmissible Diseases and Immunology" contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.4, 1.10, 1.12, and 1.22.

SPECIFIC COURSE CONTENTModule 1 – Monica CaffaraTheoretical lectures (28 hours)Special Parasitology

• General introduction to protozoa: overview of the protozoan parasites of greatest importance in Veterinary Medicine.

• 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 (Eimeria, Isospora, Cystoisospora, and Cryptosporidium), cyst-forming coccidia (Toxoplasma, Neospora, and Sarcocystis), and the haemoprotozoa Babesia and Theileria (4.5 hours).

• Platyhelminths: introduction to flatworms of major veterinary importance.

• Digenean Trematodes: classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of digenean trematodes belonging to the families Fasciolidae, Dicrocoeliidae, Paramphistomidae, Opisthorchiidae, and Schistosomatidae (3.5 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 nematodes (roundworms) of major veterinary importance (0.5 hours).

• Class Enoplea: classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of nematodes belonging to the families Trichuridae and Trichinellidae (1.5 hours).

• Class Chromadorea: classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of nematodes belonging to the families Ascarididae, Onchocercidae, Strongyloididae, Ancylostomatidae, Strongylidae, Chabertiidae, Trichostrongylidae, Molineidae, Dictyocaulidae, and Protostrongylidae (5 hours).

• Arthropods: introduction to arthropods of major veterinary importance (0.5 hours).

• Acari: classification, morphology, life cycle, host–parasite interactions, and diagnosis of arachnids of the subclass Acari, including ticks of the families Argasidae and Ixodidae (order Metastigmata) and mites belonging to the orders Astigmata, Mesostigmata, and Prostigmata (2.5 hours).

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

Practical classes (6 hours per student)

• Collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of specimens for parasitological examination aimed at parasite detection. Morphological identification using fresh preparations and stained specimens. Microscopic examination of prepared slides (2 hours).

• Preparation of faecal samples for microscopic examination using sedimentation, flotation, FLOTAC, and the Baermann technique (2 hours).

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

Module 2 – Roberta Galuppi

The programme includes the following topics:

Theoretical 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 classes (2 hours per student)

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

Readings/Bibliography

Course materials are available on the University of Bologna's Virtuale e-learning platform: https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Recommended Reading:

• 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.Uni.Nova-Parma 2004
• Peano A. Capitolo 19 "Micologia", in Microbiologia e Immunologia III edizione, ed. Poli G., Casa Editrice Edra, Milano, 2017.

Teaching methods

The theoretical lectures are delivered in a classroom equipped with a computer, internet connection, and multimedia projector, using PowerPoint presentations as teaching support.

Practical classes are conducted in a fully equipped teaching laboratory under the continuous supervision of the instructor and teaching assistants, who provide introductory explanations, demonstrations, and guidance throughout the activities.

Each practical exercise is carried out individually or in small groups and is followed by discussion and feedback with the instructor and teaching assistants.

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.

Assessment methods

The final examination is designed to assess the achievement of the course learning outcomes, with particular emphasis on the students' knowledge and their ability to integrate and apply the concepts acquired throughout the course.

Assessment of the Integrated Course "B9093 – Agents of Transmissible Diseases and Immunology" is carried out through a single examination session consisting of two parts.

Part I – B9267 Microbiology and Immunology (4 ECTS)

The first part consists of a written examination including true/false and multiple-choice questions, designed to assess the knowledge and competencies in Microbiology and Immunology described in the course learning outcomes.

The examination comprises a total of 20 questions:

• 8 true/false questions, each worth 1 point if answered correctly or 2 points if the answer is correctly justified;

• 8 single-answer multiple-choice questions, each worth 1 point;

• 4 multiple-choice questions with more than one correct answer, each worth 2 points.

Incorrect or unanswered questions receive 0 points.

The maximum score is 32 points. A minimum score of 18/32 is required to pass. The score is converted to the Italian 30-point grading scale, with 18/30 representing the minimum passing grade. Scores of 31 or 32 points correspond to 30 cum laude.

Part II – B9268 Parasitology and Mycology (4 ECTS)

The second part consists of a written examination including open-ended, true/false, and/or multiple-choice questions, designed to assess the knowledge and competencies in Parasitology and Mycology specified in the course learning outcomes.

The examination consists of two components:

1. Identification of a parasite, presented during the examination as either an image or a specimen. Students are required to answer five open-ended questions concerning:

   • taxonomic classification (maximum 3 points);

   • morphology (maximum 3 points);

   • host(s) (maximum 3 points);

   • life cycle (maximum 5 points).

   The minimum passing score for this component is 9 points, and the maximum score is 14 points.

2. Nine true/false or multiple-choice questions, each worth 1 point if answered correctly or 2 points if the answer is also correctly justified.

   The minimum passing score for this component is 9 points, and the maximum score is 18 points.

Incorrect or unanswered questions receive 0 points.

The maximum score for the entire examination is 32 points, with a minimum passing score of 18/32. The result is converted to the Italian 30-point grading scale, where 18/30 is the minimum passing grade. Scores of 31/32 or higher correspond to 30 cum laude.

The examination for the Integrated Course "B9093 – Agents of Transmissible Diseases and Immunology" is normally taken as a single examination session. The two parts cannot ordinarily be taken separately, and passing one part alone does not constitute a valid examination result.

An exception applies to the November examination session, during which second-year students enrolled in the current academic year may take Part I (B9267 – Microbiology and Immunology) separately.

Only students who successfully pass Part I in November may take Part II (B9268 – Parasitology and Mycology) separately, starting from the January examination session. The result obtained in the November examination for B9267 – Microbiology and Immunology remains valid for one year from the date on which it was taken.

Failure to pass either part requires the student to repeat the entire integrated-course examination.

For students enrolled under curricula 5984 and 8617 (Microbiology and Parasitology), the two examinations may be taken separately.

The final grade for the Integrated Course is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the two examination components.

Students have a total of 2 hours to complete the integrated-course examination. In the November session, students taking only B9267 – Microbiology and Immunology have 1 hour, while 1 hour is allocated to B9268 – Parasitology and Mycology when taken separately.

During the examinations, students are not permitted to use supporting materials or electronic devices such as calculators, tablets, smartwatches, or computers, except for any materials or devices explicitly authorised by the instructors.

An unsuccessful examination does not result in a numerical grade but is recorded as withdrawn or failed in the AlmaEsami electronic examination record and therefore does not affect the student's academic transcript.

The final examination grade will be published on AlmaEsami (https://almaesami.unibo.it/ ) within five working days of the examination date. If both parts of the examination have been passed (minimum 18/30 in each component), the grade will be automatically considered accepted and officially recorded by the course coordinator five working days after publication of the results.

Students who wish to refuse the proposed grade must notify all instructors involved in the integrated course, including the course coordinator, by email within five working days of publication of the results.

Students wishing to review their examination papers should contact the instructors of the respective course units by email to arrange an appointment.

The course coordinator responsible for recording the final grade is Prof. Monica Caffara.

Students must register for examination sessions through AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Examination sessions are scheduled within the periods established in the academic calendar. Additional examination sessions are reserved for students who are out of course.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support service well in advance:
https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti

The support service will propose any appropriate accommodations, which must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days before the examination. The instructor will evaluate their suitability in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the course.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) during any assessment activity is strictly prohibited. Any unauthorized use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

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

Students experiencing difficulties in understanding the course material are encouraged to contact the instructor by email to arrange an individual meeting for further explanation and clarification.

Office hours

See the website of Monica Caffara

See the website of Roberta Galuppi