Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The goal of the course is: 1) the training of a professional figure, familiar with major infectious diseases of farm animals, with particular emphasis on zoonotic diseases; 2) to provide students with a basic knowledge of the biology of parasitism and on the pathogenesis of parasitic diseases. In the module of Infectious Diseases, basic epidemiological principles are briefly illustrated, in order to provide the student with the knowledge needed to understand disease transmission and the importance to choose correctly the diagnostic test. For each disease, the pathogenetic mechanism of aetiological agent is discussed and the diagnostic procedures are detailed. The diagnostic aspects of infectious diseases are specifically addressed in practical lessons. The students participate to a visit to a dairy cattle farm, in order to get closer to the field and catch the possible weak points that could be linked to health problems. The module of Parasitic Diseases is focused on selected examples of parasites and diseases, that will be the models on which a general knowledge of the disease will be built. The selection of the parasite models and diseases will be based on the deepness of the bio-molecular investigations, in order to present information that is relevant to a course in biotechnology.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will have the technical expertise to correctly perform the diagnosis of major infectious diseases of large animals; the students will also be able to participate in research projects regarding the pathogenetic aspects of infectious diseases, due to his knowledge of most important bacteriological and molecular techniques applied in the field. The student will be also able to describe and interpret the main parasitic relationships and to analyze the biological cycles, the transmission mechanisms and the strategies of coexistence and coevolution of host/parasite .
Lesson period: First semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities foe academic year 2021/22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
INFECTIOUS DISEASES:
Introduction to infectious diseases, zoonoses and food-borne diseases
· Mastitis: infection of ruminants with implications for zoonosis and food-borne diseases
· Viral (Rota- and Coronavirus) and bacterial enteritis (colibacillosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis); implications for public health
· Systemic zoonotic infections: mycobacteriosis, brucellosis, chlamydiosis, rickettsiosis
· S. suis infections in pigs and humans
· Respiratory and reproductive infections of animals (Mycoplasma, Myxovirus, Herpesvirus, Pestivirus)
· Rabies
PARASITIC DISEASES:
Parasites and their life cycles: an introduction. Basic principles and terms in evolutionary biology and ecology. Parasite biology and molecular biology: model protozoa and helminths. Basic principles and terms in parasitology. The animal phyla: their evolution and body plan. Parasite biology: Cestoda, with emphasis on Taenia spp. and Echinococcus spp. Pathogenesis, virulence and the evolution of host-symbiont interactions. Parasite biology: Nematoda, with emphasis on Trichinella spp, Ascaris spp, trichostrongylidae in ruminants, Strongyloides spp. Parasite biology: ticks and a general introduction to arthropods and arthropod vectors. The immunobiology of parasitic diseases. The global impact and importance of parasitic diseases. Diseases caused by protozoans, with emphasis on toxoplasmosis and leishmaniosis. Diseases caused by Trematoda, with emphasis on schistosomiasis and fascioliasis. Diseases caused by nematodes, with emphasis on toxocariasis, ancylostomiasis, filariasis, anisakidiasis. Tick-borne diseases: Lyme disease; basic information on rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis.
Introduction to infectious diseases, zoonoses and food-borne diseases
· Mastitis: infection of ruminants with implications for zoonosis and food-borne diseases
· Viral (Rota- and Coronavirus) and bacterial enteritis (colibacillosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis); implications for public health
· Systemic zoonotic infections: mycobacteriosis, brucellosis, chlamydiosis, rickettsiosis
· S. suis infections in pigs and humans
· Respiratory and reproductive infections of animals (Mycoplasma, Myxovirus, Herpesvirus, Pestivirus)
· Rabies
PARASITIC DISEASES:
Parasites and their life cycles: an introduction. Basic principles and terms in evolutionary biology and ecology. Parasite biology and molecular biology: model protozoa and helminths. Basic principles and terms in parasitology. The animal phyla: their evolution and body plan. Parasite biology: Cestoda, with emphasis on Taenia spp. and Echinococcus spp. Pathogenesis, virulence and the evolution of host-symbiont interactions. Parasite biology: Nematoda, with emphasis on Trichinella spp, Ascaris spp, trichostrongylidae in ruminants, Strongyloides spp. Parasite biology: ticks and a general introduction to arthropods and arthropod vectors. The immunobiology of parasitic diseases. The global impact and importance of parasitic diseases. Diseases caused by protozoans, with emphasis on toxoplasmosis and leishmaniosis. Diseases caused by Trematoda, with emphasis on schistosomiasis and fascioliasis. Diseases caused by nematodes, with emphasis on toxocariasis, ancylostomiasis, filariasis, anisakidiasis. Tick-borne diseases: Lyme disease; basic information on rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis.
Prerequisites for admission
The student is required to pass the exams of "General Microbiology" and "Veterinary immunology and microbiology". He is also suggested to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of mammals, of the immunology and of the cellular and molecular biology.
Teaching methods
INFECTIOUS DISEASES: lectures, practical lessons and a visit the a dairy farm. The practical lessons include an introduction to the methods generally used in the diagnosis of common infectious diseases.
PARASITIC DISEASES: frontal lessons supported by projected material. The students are invited to actively participate to the discussion to improve their critical skills, and rework the acquired concepts.
PARASITIC DISEASES: frontal lessons supported by projected material. The students are invited to actively participate to the discussion to improve their critical skills, and rework the acquired concepts.
Teaching Resources
INFECTIOUS DISEASES: All the lectures are available online on Ariel platform.
Supplementary material:
· C.L. Giles, J.F. Prescott, J.G. Songer, C.O. Thoen (2004): Pathogenesis of bacterial infections in animals. 3rd Ed., Blackwell Publishing
· D.C. Hirsh, N.J. MacLachlan, R.L. Walker (2004): Veterinary Microbiology. 2nd
PARASITIC DISEASES: Lessons loaded on Ariel platform
De Carneri. Parassitologia generale e umana. Editors, C. Genchi, E. Pozio. Edition, 13. Publisher, CEA, 2003. ISBN, 8808086755, 9788808086754.
De Carneri - Parassitologia medica e diagnostica parassitologia. A cura di Olga Brandonisio, Fabrizio Bruschi, Claudio Genchi, Edoardo Pozio. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli 2012
Supplementary material:
· C.L. Giles, J.F. Prescott, J.G. Songer, C.O. Thoen (2004): Pathogenesis of bacterial infections in animals. 3rd Ed., Blackwell Publishing
· D.C. Hirsh, N.J. MacLachlan, R.L. Walker (2004): Veterinary Microbiology. 2nd
PARASITIC DISEASES: Lessons loaded on Ariel platform
De Carneri. Parassitologia generale e umana. Editors, C. Genchi, E. Pozio. Edition, 13. Publisher, CEA, 2003. ISBN, 8808086755, 9788808086754.
De Carneri - Parassitologia medica e diagnostica parassitologia. A cura di Olga Brandonisio, Fabrizio Bruschi, Claudio Genchi, Edoardo Pozio. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli 2012
Assessment methods and Criteria
INFECTIOUS DISEASES: the exam consists of a written test (in November) and an oral. The first part of the exam accounts for 40% final mark.
PARASITIC DISEASES: the exam consists of a written test with 60 questions with multiple choices.
PARASITIC DISEASES: the exam consists of a written test with 60 questions with multiple choices.
Infection diseases and zoonosis
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES
Practicals: 8 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 8 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 8 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Piccinini Renata
Molecular parasitology and parasitic diseases
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES
Practicals: 8 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 8 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 8 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Bazzocchi Chiara
Professor(s)
Reception:
Every day by appointment
Department of veterinary Medicine and Animal Science