250-202 Veterinary Parasitology

Coordinator:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

Students completing this subject should:

• possess a detailed understanding of the biology of the various groups of parasites of domestic animals;

• possess the essential information on life-cycles of parasites of domestic animals, methods of transmission, epidemiology, mechanisms by which they cause disease, and the immunological responses of the host;

• possess skills in the techniques by which parasites are recovered from infected hosts;

• be able to identify the principal parasites of animals on the basis of morphology and location in the host and assign them to generic or species classifications;

• be familiar with the concepts of symbiosis and parasitism and principles of pathogenicity of parasitic infections;

• be familiar with the mode of action of anti-parasitic drugs, their spectrum of activity and their use in the control of parasitic infections;

• be aware of the public health significance of parasitic zoonoses; and

• understand how a detailed knowledge of the biology of parasites identifies options for programs of prevention and control of parasitic infections.

Content:

Principal protozoan, cestode, trematode, nematode and arthropod parasites of domestic animals and their role as primary pathogens or as vectors, with emphasis on: morphological characteristics of organisms; zoological classification; life cycles, epidemiology, methods of transmission, vector, vector control; the ways in which the parasite alters the anatomy, physiology or biochemistry of the host to produce disease; resistance of the host to infection, the immunological and pathological reactions of the host to parasites; methods of diagnosis including collection of specimens and interpretation of results; mode of action and spectrum of activity of anti-parasitic drugs.

Assessment: