Learning outcomes

At the end of this activity, the student:

  • Acquired a global view of the different biological groups causing parasitic diseases in wild and domestic animals
  • Knows the main morphological, biological and epidemiological characteristics of the principal parasites of human and domestic animals
  • Understands de basic principles contributing to the equilibrium between the parasite and its host
  • Knows the main zoonotic parasites
  • Understands how to diagnose the presence of a parasite in humans or animals and how to identify it

 

Goals

The objective of this course is to provide students with keys to understand the dynamic, of parasitic diseases, the biology of their agents, their transmission routes, the circumstances that make them pathogenic and how to develop control strategies against them. More specifically, this courses is a prerequisite to the course on parasitic diseases of Master 1 in veterinary medicine.                                          

Content

Course content: the course is made of 6 parts: a general introduction to parasitology and the used terminology, mycology, protozoology, helminthology, entomology and acarology. The abbreviated systematics, the morphology, the biology, the physiology and some biochemical and immunological aspects of the host-parasite relationship are presented for each parasite group as they are a prerequisite for the study of parasitic and fungal diseases of animals. 

Content of practical sessions: group work on imposed themes and techniques. Each group identifies a parasite, applies diagnostic techniques, studies the related literature and shares experience with other groups.

Themes for practicals are:

  • Coprology on faecal material (gastro-intestinal helminths and protozoans)
  • Skin scraping or combing or auricular swab (skin arthropods and fungi)
  • Scotch test or trichogram (skin arthropods and fungi)
  • Blood smear or vector identification (blood protozoans)

 

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Arthropod parasites (bee parasites included)
  3. Protozoan parasites
  4. Helminth parasites
  5. Fungal parasites

 

Exercices

Not applicable

 

Assessment method

Students are evaluated through individual oral exams. The interview, which lasts 15 to 20 minutes, is preceded by 30 minutes of preparation. The questions, which cover the whole course, are randomly selected by the students. The evaluation is essentially based on the knowledge of the parasites and the capacity of the student to use parasitological principles in his reflexion.

Furthermore, group presentations made at the third practical session are evaluated. In case of success in the theoretical part above, practical scores account for 25% of the final result. Practical scores are, if applicable, transferable to the next exam session, in the absence of a new evaluation at the end of a practical session.

 

Sources, references and any support material

Students are invited to refer to the following books (unexhaustive list) to complete the information provided during the lectures or to prepare their group presentations:

  • Foundations of parasitology (Roberts L.S., Janovy J. & Nadler S.)
  • Georgis' parasitology for veterinarians (Bowman D.D.)
  • Veterinary parasitology (Taylor M.A., Coop R.L. & Wall R.L.)
  • Essentials of veterinary bacteriology and mycology (Carter G.R. & Darla J. Wise)

 

Language of instruction

Français
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelier en médecine vétérinaire Standard 0 3
Bachelier en médecine vétérinaire Standard 3 3