D0200 - DIAGNOSTICA DELLE MALATTIE PARASSITARIE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be familiar with the taxonomy, epidemiology, and control of the main parasitic zoonoses, as well as the tools for analyzing parasitological samples using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The student will also know the molecular diagnostic techniques used in the study of parasites.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course "B8790 – Diagnostic Methodologies and Bioinformatics Applied to Transmissible Diseases (Integrated Course)". Upon completion of the Integrated Course, the student will have acquired knowledge and understanding of the theoretical principles and practical applications of epidemiology, laboratory techniques, and bioinformatics as applied to the diagnosis and study of infectious diseases. The student will be able to apply, perform, and interpret the main diagnostic tests, as well as conduct sequence analyses for the genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of pathogens responsible for transmissible diseases.

COURSE CONTENT

Theoretical lectures (24 hours)

1. Introduction to Parasitology and Zoonoses: general concepts, parasite classification, host–parasite relationships, life cycles, and the One Health approach (2 hours).
2. Taxonomy of the Major Parasitic Zoonoses: protozoa, nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, and arthropod vectors; morphological and molecular classification criteria (4 hours).
3. Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses: geographical distribution, risk factors, epidemiological cycles, emerging and re-emerging zoonoses (4 hours).
4. Prevention and Control Strategies: surveillance, biosecurity, and control measures in animals and humans (2 hours).
5. Conventional Parasitological Diagnostics: sampling principles, specimen preparation, light microscopy, and morphological identification (2 hours).
6. Electron Microscopy: principles of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), sample preparation, and applications in parasitological research (2 hours).
7. Molecular Diagnostics: nucleic acid extraction, conventional PCR, real-time PCR, and molecular markers used in parasite diagnosis (4 hours).
8. Bioinformatics Applied to Parasitology: biological databases, sequence retrieval, BLAST searches, multiple sequence alignments, phylogenetic analyses, and interpretation of phylogenetic trees (4 hours).

Practical Classes/Laboratory Sessions (32 hours)

• Morphological identification of parasites and use of dichotomous identification keys (4 hours)
• Microscopic examination of specimens and parasite identification (4 hours)
• Analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images (1 hour)
• Analysis and discussion of epidemiological case studies (8 hours)
• DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and interpretation of results (8 hours)
• Post-PCR purification and DNA sequencing (1 hour)
• Use of bioinformatics software for sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree reconstruction (6 hours)

 

D0200 - PARASITIC DISEASES DIAGNOSIS (free choice course)

This course unit is part of the Integrated Course "D0195 DIAGNOSTIC, NUTRITIONAL AND FOOD SAFETY BIOTECHNOLOGIES"

Upon completion of the integrated course, students will have acquired knowledge and understanding of:

• the physiology of the digestive system and the characteristics of the gastrointestinal and milk microbiomes, with particular reference to their composition, development, functions, and interactions with diet and the environment;
• the principles of European food safety legislation, chemical and biological hazards, food risk assessment processes, and the main analytical technologies used in food control;
• the principles of epidemiology, measures of disease frequency, risk analysis, and sampling plan design;
• the principles of laboratory medicine and the diagnostic procedures applied to infectious and parasitic diseases;
• the taxonomy, epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of the main parasitic zoonoses;
• the main biochemical, microscopic, molecular, and automated techniques used in the analysis of biological and food samples.

 

COURSE CONTENT

1. Introduction to Parasitology and Zoonoses: general concepts, parasite classification, host–parasite relationships, life cycles, and the One Health approach. Taxonomy of the major parasitic zoonoses: protozoa, nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes; morphological and molecular criteria for parasite classification (4 hours).

2. Molecular Diagnostics: nucleic acid extraction, conventional PCR and Real-Time PCR, and molecular markers used in the diagnosis of parasitic infections (4 hours).

 

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

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

Teaching methods

The course consists of face-to-face lectures integrated with hands-on laboratory sessions, during which students will put into practice and consolidate most of the concepts introduced in the theoretical classes. Part of the course will be conducted in a computer laboratory, where students will work individually or in pairs using online platforms and open-source bioinformatics software.

During the computer-based sessions, students will follow the instructor step by step as analyses are performed using a shared computer, with the support of a tutorial provided at the beginning of the course. The teaching activities also include the analysis and discussion of case studies as well as group work.

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

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

Assessment methods

The course B8793 – Bioinformatics Applied to Transmissible Diseases is primarily practice-oriented and is designed to provide students with the bioinformatics skills required to successfully complete the final examination.

Assessment for the Integrated Course "Diagnostic Methodologies and Bioinformatics Applied to Transmissible Diseases" consists of two parts:

• Part I – Written Multiple-Choice Examination (2 hours)

  The first part consists of a two-hour multiple-choice examination designed to assess the acquisition of the expected knowledge. The examination includes:

  • 20 questions covering the topics taught in B8791 – Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases;
  • 18 questions covering the topics taught in B8792 – Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases.

  For B8791 – Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases, the examination includes:

  • 10 multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each;
  • 10 multiple-choice questions worth 2 points each.

  For B8792 – Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases, the examination includes:

  • 18 multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each.

  Correct answers receive the corresponding score, whereas incorrect or unanswered questions receive 0 points.

  During this examination, students are not permitted to use any supporting materials or electronic devices (including calculators, tablets, smartwatches, or computers), except for those explicitly authorized by the instructor.

• Part II – Practical/Written Examination (2 hours)

  The second part consists of a two-hour practical/written examination covering the topics taught in B8793 – Bioinformatics Applied to Transmissible Diseases, with the aim of assessing both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies.

  The practical computer-based component includes:

  • qualitative assessment of a DNA sequencing chromatogram;
  • interpretation of a scientific paper presenting a phylogenetic tree;
  • execution of the bioinformatics analyses learned during the course.

Completion of the practical component enables students to answer nine open-ended questions included in the written examination.

Each correct answer is awarded 2 points, while incorrect or unanswered questions receive 0 points.

During this examination, students are permitted to use any supporting materials and electronic devices (including calculators, tablets, smartwatches, and computers). However, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is strictly prohibited.

The combined examinations allow students to obtain a maximum score of 66 points. The final grade is reported on the Italian 30-point grading scale.

A minimum score of 36/66 (equivalent to 18/30) is required to pass the examination. Students obtaining 61/66 points or higher are awarded 30 cum laude.

Examination results are published within five working days on AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ).

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

Students may decline the proposed grade by notifying the course coordinator via email within five working days of publication of the results.

The course coordinator responsible for recording examination results 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 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 assess 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.

 

 

The assessment of learning outcomes for the Integrated Course “D0195 – DIAGNOSTIC, NUTRITIONAL AND FOOD SAFETY BIOTECHNOLOGIES” consists of a multiple-choice test covering the topics addressed in all the course units that make up the Integrated Course.

The test consists of 32 multiple-choice questions distributed among the course units as follows:

D0196 – Animal Nutrition Biotechnology, Microbiome and Feeding: 8 questions

D0199 – Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 4 questions

D0200 – Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases: 4 questions

D0198 – Laboratory Diagnostics: 8 questions

D0197 – Technologies and Biotechnologies Applied to Food Safety: 8 questions

Each question has five answer options, only one of which is correct. Scores are awarded as follows: 1 point for each correct answer and 0 points for each incorrect or unanswered question.

Students will have 30 minutes to complete the test. The final score will be converted to a grade out of 30.

The examination is considered passed if a minimum final grade of 18/30 is achieved.

Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.

Grades for individual parts and the final grade will be published on the AlmaEsami platform (https://almaesami.unibo.it/?lang=en ) within 5 working days of the date of the exam.

Students may reject the final grade once by notifying the lecturer responsible for recording the grade by email within five working days.

The designated course contact for this course is Prof. Giampiero Pagliuca.

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

With regard to the learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited during the multiple-choice assessment. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations and tutorials for the computer-based practical activities.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Monica Caffara