35532 - Parasitology and Mycology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires knowledge of basic principles, correct terminology, taxonomy, morphology, epidemiology, life cycle of the parasites and mycetes which are more common and important in Veterinary Medicine, with regard also to Public Health. The student is able to recognize parasites and mycetes through macroscopic and microscopic observations of slides and preparations.

Course contents

MODULE 1 – Monica Caffara

Theoretical Lectures:

• General concepts of parasitism. Definition of parasite and host. Essential parasitological terminology. Overview of taxonomy and biology of parasites of veterinary importance. Host-parasite interactions and effects of parasites on the host. Entry and exit routes of parasites. Importance of parasites in animal health and Public Health. (3 hours)

Special Topics:

• General features of protozoa: Introduction to protozoan parasites of major importance in veterinary medicine (0.5 hours)

• Flagellated and ciliated protozoa: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of flagellated protozoa belonging to the genera Giardia, Tritrichomonas, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania (4 hours)

• Apicomplexan protozoa: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of non-cyst-forming coccidia (Eimeria, Isospora, Cystoisospora, Cryptosporidium), cyst-forming coccidia (Toxoplasma, Neospora, Sarcocystis), and blood protozoa (Babesia, Theileria) (4.5 hours)

• Platyhelminthes: Introduction to flatworms of veterinary relevance (0.5 hours)

• Digenean trematodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of digenean trematodes from the families Fasciolidae, Dicrocoeliidae, Paramphistomidae, Opisthorchiidae, Schistosomatidae (3.5 hours)

• Cestodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of cestodes from the orders Diphyllobothriidea (Diphyllobothriidae) and Cyclophyllidea (Mesocestoididae, Anoplocephalidae, Dipylidiidae, Taeniidae) (4 hours)

• Nematodes: Introduction to roundworms of major veterinary importance (0.5 hours)

• Enoplea nematodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of Enoplea nematodes from the families Trichuridae and Trichinellidae (1.5 hours)

• Chromadorea nematodes: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of Chromadorea nematodes from the families Ascarididae, Onchocercidae, Strongyloididae, Ancylostomatidae, Strongylidae, Chabertiidae, Trichostrongylidae, Molineidae, Dictyocaulidae, Protostrongylidae (5 hours)

• Arthropods: Introduction to arthropods of veterinary relevance (0.5 hours)

• Mites and ticks: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of arthropods from class Arachnida, subclass Acari: ticks from families Argasidae and Ixodidae (order Metastigmata), and mites (orders Astigmata, Mesostigmata, Prostigmata) (2.5 hours)

• Insects: Classification, morphology, life cycle, effects on the host, and diagnosis of arthropods from class Insecta: order Siphonaptera (fleas), Phthiraptera (lice), and Diptera (as vectors and as agents of myiasis) (2 hours)

Practical Classes (8 hours/student):

• Introduction to parasitological examination: prevention and safety in the parasitology lab

• Equipment, materials, and reagents used in parasitological diagnostics

• Main parasitological techniques applied to biological samples (faeces, blood, etc.) (2 hours)

• Protozoa (2 hours): Methods for collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of specimens for the detection of protozoan parasites. Morphological identification in fresh and stained preparations. Observation of slides.

• Helminths (2 hours): Methods for collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of specimens for the detection of helminth parasites (flatworms and roundworms). Morphological identification.

• Arthropods (2 hours): Methods for collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of specimens for the detection of arthropods of veterinary relevance. Morphological identification.

MODULE 2 – Roberta Galuppi

Theoretical Lectures:

• General characteristics of fungi: Role of fungi in nature. Morphology, physiology, distribution, reproduction, and pathogenicity factors. Classification. (2 hours)

• Veterinary-relevant fungi: Dermatophytes. Fungi of the genera Malassezia, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, Candida (4 hours)

Practical Classes (2 hours/student):

• Fungi: Methods for collection, sampling, preservation, and transport of samples for mycological examination

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

Readings/Bibliography

Basic material to support the preparation of the exam: powerpoint presentations and other teaching materials used by the teachers during the course and uploaded on Piattaforma "Virtuale" (https://virtuale.unibo.it/)

Recommended for insights:

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, Uninova, Parma, 2004  

Peano A. Capitolo 19 "Micologia", in Microbiologia e Immunologia III edizione, ed. Poli G., Casa Editrice Edra, Milano, 2017.

Teaching methods

The course (4 ECTS; 48 hours total) includes both theoretical lectures (38 hours) and practical laboratory sessions (10 hours × 4 groups). It is structured into two modules:

• Module 1: Parasitology (32 hours of lectures and 10 hours × 4 of practical sessions)

• Module 2: Mycology (6 hours of lectures)

Theoretical lectures are conducted in a suitably equipped classroom with a PC connected to the internet and a video projector, using PowerPoint slide presentations as teaching support.

Practical lessons take place in a dedicated teaching laboratory, under the continuous supervision of the instructor and their teaching assistants. Introductory and explanatory explanations accompany all laboratory activities. Biosafety measures specific to parasitology and mycology laboratories will be explained and applied throughout the practical sessions.

Each practical activity is carried out individually or in small groups by the students and is subject to evaluation and discussion with instructors and assistants. At the end of each session, students are required to complete a learning assessment sheet.

Given the nature of the activities and teaching methods used, attendance in this course requires prior completion of:

• Modules 1 and 2 of the e-learning platform, and

• Module 3 on specific training in health and safety in academic environments.
  Information regarding dates and participation procedures for Module 2 can be found in the dedicated section of the Degree Programme website.

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

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning for the Parasitology and Mycology modules takes place through a single final exam, which evaluates the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills. The exam consists of a practical test, followed by an oral examination covering topics addressed during the course.

• The practical test requires the student to identify and describe a parasitic or fungal agent, in order to demonstrate the skills acquired during laboratory sessions.

• The oral examination includes questions designed to assess the student’s understanding of the theoretical content covered in both modules.

The evaluation of the oral exam is based on the following grading criteria:

• 18–22: Preparation on a very limited number of topics; ability to analyze emerging only with guidance; generally correct use of language.

• 23–26: Preparation on a limited number of topics; independent analysis only of basic or procedural issues; correct use of language.

• 27–29: Preparation covering a broad range of topics; ability to make independent and critical analytical choices; solid command of technical terminology.

• 30–30 with distinction: Comprehensive knowledge of the topics; strong ability in independent critical analysis and synthesis; full mastery of discipline-specific terminology; strong reasoning and reflective skills.

The oral exam grade is communicated at the end of the interview. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass the exam.

This course is part of the Integrated Course in Microbiology and Parasitology, which also includes the teaching units of Bacteriology and Immunology and Virology. The final grade for the Integrated Course will be a single grade, calculated as the weighted average of the final evaluations of each component course.
As an integrated course, the official grade registrar is Prof. Monica Caffara.

Students must register for the exam sessions through the AlmaEsami platform: http://almaesami.unibo.it/ . Exam sessions are scheduled within the official academic calendar windows. Additional exam sessions are reserved for students who are beyond the standard duration of the program (fuori corso).

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are advised to contact the University's support office in advance:
https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en .
The office will assist in identifying any necessary accommodations, which must be submitted for approval to the course instructor at least 15 days prior to the exam. The instructor will assess the appropriateness of the request in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

The theoretical lectures take place in a classroom supplied with multimedia equipment (web-connected PC and PC video-projector), with powerpoint presentations; practical lessons take place in teaching lab equipped for parasitological analyses, microscopy and staining techniques. Futhermore parasitological and mycological collections will be used by the teahcers during the practical lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Monica Caffara

See the website of Roberta Galuppi