Cellular and Molecular Biology

PARASITOLOGY (not activated in 2016/17)

SVB006

Academic year 2016/2017

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Learning assessment methods
• Program
• Suggested textbooks and readings
• Notes
• Teaching tools

Course objectives

The teaching objectives are to illustrate through the biological cycles and the host-parasite interactions the evolution, epidemiology, pathogenesis and immunology of the most important parasitic diseases of humans with  hints on clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.  The teaching wish to stimulate the students to deep their knowledge on different topics of parasitology through the lens of history, biology, pharmacology, economy and human development, and of international health themes of global relevance. 

Results of learning outcomes

Parasitology is a discipline which demands a multi-disciplinary approach. Parasites, in fact, are an hazard for human and animal health, can be transmitted by insect vectors, and their transmission is often due to insufficient hygienic-sanitary conditions. This is confirmed by the fact that these infections hit mainly countries with limited resources, lacking a sewage system and proper sanitation facilities, access to safe water and with a warm  and tropical climate. This situation is worsened by the vicious cycle poverty-disease.  Parasitic diseases have had and still have a huge social burden and their control is one of the worldwide challenges to improve the health and development of entire  communities. Parasitology is fascinating because goes beyond the relation between a host and a parasite and entangles aspects of anthropology, social sciences, public health, environment, human and veterinary medicine, and, ultimately the economic and human development.  

The teaching of parasitology is of fundamental importance for the student who wish to approach  these global challenges  and also for those who plan to look for a professional occupation in Italy, being parasitic diseases emerging or-remerging associated to travels and population migrations. The aim of the course is therefore to complement a traditional approach  in which the students are introduced to the world of parasites and their diseases describing the general aspects, from the epidemiology to the diagnosis, with a particular focus to up-to-date hot topics like migrations movements, new technologies, epidemics and drug resistance. The special part of parasitology teaching deals with the specific host-parasite interaction for the main species which are pathogens to humans, the biological hazard for the host, and explores in details the big endemic parasitic diseases and the public health aspects related to their control in endemic communities. The lecturer will try to transfer his experience of parasitologist and expert in international health acquired during years of work in developing countries where parasites are endemic.

Learning assessment methods

Oral interview  

Program

The teaching material and content presented and discussed during the lectures is available on University website in Cell Biology under the topic  Course of General  and human Parasitology.

The text recommended for the training is :
Ivo de Carneri “Parassitologia medica e diagnostica parassitologica” Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

The use and reading of the following texts is an added advantage for more detailed knowledge and insights:
District Laboratory Practice in Tropical Countries, Cheesbrough, Ed. Tropical health technology

Basic laboratory methods in medical parasitology, OMS Ginevra

Atlas of Medical Parasitology, www.cdfound.to.it, Editor P. Caramello

The following websites could be  of interest:

www.who.int
www.simetweb.it
www.gnntdc.sabin.org
www.ilgirodelmondo.it
www.cdfound.to.it
www.cdc.gov
www.tropicalmed.eu

Note

The course is hold every other year and therefore gathers students of the 1st and 2nd year.   

The participants who are particularly motivated and interested to develop topics of parasitology for their thesis  may be followed and supervised in stages according to the availability of time and resources of the lecturer.

• Teaching materials
• Exams and finals
• Go to Moodle
• Visit the forums