Clinical Parasitology

Recommended Prerequisites

Biochemistry, Physiopathology, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular  Biology, Microbiology.

Teaching Methods

The lectures are not compulsory and are based on the classical model of knowledge transmission, supported on electronic presentations, illustrative of the syllabus. During classes, questions are raised in order to encourage student participation, to assess the understanding of the subjects and develop the interaction between teacher and student. The laboratory classes are compulsory and continuous assessment methodology is implemented. The lesson plans, identifying the activities that will be developed, and educational material support (tutorial type) are provided in advance to students.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course is to give the student skills in the field of clinical parasitology. It is intended that student:

- Gain knowledge about clinical parasitology;

- Acquire knowledge in the classification of major groups of parasites of medical importance: protozoa, helminths and arthropods;

- Acquire knowledge about the areas in which parasitic infections are endemic;

- Describe the life cycle of parasites and their implication on transmission and dissemination;

- Gain knowledge about the importance of emergent and opportunistic parasitic diseases;

- Discuss the clinically disease processes associated with pathogenic parasites;

-Acquire skills in the laboratory diagnosis of the main parasite protozoa and helminths found in human biological specimens;

- Get the ability to analyse and correlate the laboratory data (haematological, immunological and biochemical) with parasitic diseases.

- Develop critical capacity through the interpretation of laboratory data and problem solving.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1.Clinical Parasitology and globalization

2.Pathogenesis and Immunology of parasitic diseases 

3.Parasitic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: amebiasis, giardiasis, isosporiasis, cryptosporidiasis cyclosporiasis, ascariasis, enterobiasis, trichuriasis, hookworm, taeniosis,  tapeworm disease. Etiology, biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control

4.Parasitic diseases of the blood and tissue:  leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, trichomoniasis, amebiasis, malaria, babesiosis, toxoplasmosis, filariasis, loiasis, onchocerciasis, trichinosis, larva migrans, hydatidosis, cysticercosis, fascioliasis, paragonimiasis and schistosomiasis. Etiology, biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control

5.Laboratory diagnosis of parasitic diseases: sampling and laboratory techniques; direct methods and concentration techniques; cultures, animal inoculation and xenodiagnosis; immunological and molecular diagnosis

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria do Céu Rodrigues de Sousa

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Frequency: 10.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 15.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

David T. John, and William A. Petri, “Markell & Voge´s  Medical Parasitology 2013, 9ª ed., Elsevier.

Elizabeth A. Zeibig “Clinical Parasitology. A Pratical Approach” 2012, 2^nd ed., W. B. Saunders Company, Elsevier Health Sciences.

Luís Rey  “Bases da Parasitologia Médica” 2011, 3ª ed., Guanabara Koogan S.A.

Male, D., Brostoff, J., Roth, D. B. and I. Roitt “Roitt´s Essential Immunology” 2011, 12ª ed. Elsevier Mosby

Patrick R. Murray, Ken S. Rosenthal, and Michael A. Pfaller “Medical Microbiology” 2013, 7ª ed. Elsevier Mosby.

 

htpp://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/

http://www.who.int/es/