Parasitology
Parasitology focuses on the distribution, hosts, life cycles, transmission routes, signs and symptoms, and control measures for parasites of medical and veterinary importance.
Parasitology Laboratory
In this laboratory, the students apply the concepts learned in the lecture to solving case studies. Most of these cases involve diagnosing and treating patients. For example:
Nadia Dudley is a 32-year-old female presenting with painful urination and blood in her urine. She had travelled to Yemen on business 6 months ago. She reports swimming in a river during her stay.
A wet mount of a urine sample was observed under the microscope.
The students are responsible for identifying the parasite (Schistosoma haemotobium) using the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and travel history. They then describe any medical intervention and discuss the details of the parasite. Throughout the semester, the students complete 34 different patient cases in addition to a handful of other applied laboratories.
Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory
In this lab, we use case studies to study the clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common diseases caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens. In this lab, the students take on the role of a medical laboratory technician and aid in the diagnosis and treatment of six different case study patients throughout the semester.
For example, during the urinary tract infection lab, the students are given an artificial urine sample spiked with an unknown pathogen, a case report and medical history, and a book containing ~30 different microbiological procedures involving selective and differential media, biochemical tests, and inoculation techniques. Although the TAs and I are available to help, the students are ultimately responsible for figuring out which tests are required to identify their pathogen, how to conduct each assay, and how to interpret the results.
This format allows us to focus more on problem solving and application in the lab while leaving the students responsible for learning the content. Throughout the semester, each student solves six unknown cases, starting with cultivating unknown bacteria from simulated samples through diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the students practice identifying unknown bacteria from up to 45 different patients.