07870 - Parasitic Diseases

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the epidemiology, symptoms, diagnosis and prevention of the main parasitic diseases of domestic animals, is able to properly approach to the management of a parasite, either by applying the primary diagnostic instruments or evaluating correctly the consequences of the relationship host / parasite / environment, in order to control and prevent the pathological phenomenon and its socio-economic consequences.

Course contents

The lectures are organized in order to represent the real situation in which the future veterinarian finds herself in various professional contexts. In detail, the lectures are devoted to illustrate the cultural and practical operational approach to parasitic diseases with a thorough discussion of the issues. In particular, the course provides an initial framing the parasitic phenomenon in a global context of welfare, animal health and public health which anticipate the section on specific diseases that are treated looking for a balance between livestock and pets (including, in the latter, the horse). Particular attention is paid to cultural tools that enable the autonomous management of the student / professional insights regarding the control of parasitic diseases untreated or related to unconventional species. In particular, the following topics were treated: D.Lgs 81/2008: The student of Parasitic Diseases-and risks; The vet and occupational risks; Motivations that lead to approach the study af parasitic diseases; Study model of a communicable disease; Digestive and reproductive diseases caused by flagellates; Canine leishmaniosis; Coccidiosis; Neosporosis; Cryptosporidiosis; Coccidiosis in chickens, a prototype of all coccidiosis; Coccidiosis of farm mammals; Diagnostic algorithm of coccidiosis in dogs and cats; Toxoplasmosis; Diseases caused by trematodes, an example of horizontal approach; Filariosis of dogs and cats; Cysticercosis; Ascaridiosis of pets and farm animals; Anchylostomosis of pets; Trichocefalosis of dog and swine; Cestodosis of pets and farm animals; Cystic and multilocularis echinococcosis; Gastrointestina strongylosis of horses; Gastrointestina strongylosis of ruminants; Gastrointestina strongylosis of swine; Lung strongyloses; Old and new trichinellosis; Pet manges; Farm animals manges; Bots; Diseases transmitted by arthropods

The practical lessons will be of two types:

- Educational journeys in breeding (one of swine and one of cattle) in association with the course “Infectious diseases of large animals (by prof Ostanello), shared by the whole course, will deal directly with the company the managerial aspects that can influence the presence of parasites and consequently realize a direct approach to the taking of animals for specimens collection (feces, blood, skin scrapings) for diagnostic purposes

- Laboratory activities (with students divided into 4 rounds, probably about 25 students each, who will be given the same arguments) will include: 1) the parasitological analysis of the samples collected during visits to breeding, 2) post mortem parasitological analysis : starting from organs collected from public slaughterhouses; so students could independently extract, observe, identify parasites; 3) interactive presentations using the system "clicker" to discuss with the students of aspects of parasitic diseases of small animals.

Readings/Bibliography

The course material consists of suggested books

- Taylor MA et al. : Veterinary Parasitology (Third Edition), Blackwell Publishing, Oxford (U.K.), 2007

- “Parassitologia Zootecnica”, Marcello Ambrosi – Edagricole

- “Parassitologia Urbana”, Vezio Puccini – E. Tarsitano - Edagricole

- “Veterinary Medicine” 0.M.Radostis et al. Eighth ed. Bailliere e Tindall

- “Manuale di Parassitologia Veterinaria” – Genchi M., Traldi G., Genchi,C. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

- ESCCAP guidelines

- The teacher spontaneously donates booklets, journals or leaflet.

Teaching methods

The course consist both of theoretical and practical lessons.

Assessment methods

Final test will consist of an oral examination. The course is part of the Integrated course "Communicable diseases and epidemiology, that is comprehensive of the courses: Infectious diseases of farm animals, Infectious diseases of companion animals, Epidemiology. The examination committee, is formed by the professors in charge of the teachings that compose the integrated course., The final mark consists of the synthesis of the evaluations of the teachings that compose the integrated course

Teaching tools

The theoretical lectures take place in a classroom supplied with multimedia equipment (PC and PC video-projector), with PowerPoint slides; practical lessons are carried out at farms that available, by means of a bus hire, and in laboratories of the School, equipped for diagnostic activities, also taking advantage of the system "clicker" available to the undergraduate program.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Poglayen