Course Description
Parasitology is a survey of parasites of importance to the health of humans and domestic animals. Students learn about the distribution, hosts, life cycles, transmission routes, signs and symptoms, and control measures for parasites of medical and veterinary importance by focusing on case studies.
In the laboratory, the students apply the concepts learned in the lecture to solving case studies, most of which 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 diagnosing their patients using descriptions of the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and travel history. The details of these cases are discussed to give context between the real world and concepts discussed in class.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Describe the distribution, hosts, life cycles, transmission routes, signs and symptoms, and control measures of parasites of medical and veterinary importance.
- Describe parasite ecology, including interactions with abiotic and biotic environments.
- Design strategies to prevent the spread of parasitic diseases using the chain of infection and knowledge of parasite biology.
- Diagnose common parasitic infections by identifying key features of the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and travel history.
Course Format and Materials
This class consists of two, one-hour lectures and one, three-hour laboratory each week.
Textbooks
- Parasitic Diseases, 7th Edition: Despommier et al.
- Parasitic Diseases, clinical appendix for the 7th addition: Despommier et al.
- Microbiology by Parker et. al.
Case Studies
- Laboratory Cases: Students complete a series of case studies throughout the semester.
- Student Submitted Case Studies: The collection is organized into protozoan, nematode, cestode, and trematode parasites.
- Scratch-off mini cases: Two-minute mini-cases on scratch-off cards to help student practice and review the material.