Goals:

Main Goal:

Familiarization with morphology, evolutionary course, pathogenicity, detection, treatment, control and prevention of pathogenic parasites, protozoa and human fungi in Iran

Specific Goals:

At the end of this course, students are required to:

1. Express the generalities and common definitions in parasitology.

2. Provide the shape and scientific names of parasites with an emphasis on common parasites of the country.

3. Provide a summary of life cycle, source of infection and the mentioned agents.

4. Mark the geographical distribution of parasitic diseases that are common the country.

5. Name the main clinical symptoms of the diseases.

6. Name the diagnostic and prevention methods for these infections.

 

Educational Contents:

A) Theory course (26 hours)

Protozoan parasites, as follows:

Generalities, protozoa and their classification, intestinal protozoa, entamoeba histolytica, giardia lamblia, uterine and genital protozoa (trichomonas vaginalis), balantidium coli

Blood and tissue protozoa, plasmodium vivax, plasmodium falciparum, leishmania tropica, major leishmania, leishmania infantum, toxoplasma gondii

 

Helminth parasites, as follows:

Generalities, classifications

Generalities of nematodes, Ascaris lumbricoides, treadworm, Trichiura trichuris, hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Trichostrongylidae, Strongyloides stercoralis and a mention of Dracunculus medinensis)

Generalities of trematodes, Fasciola hepatica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Schistosoma haematobium, generalities of Cestoda, Taenia saginata, Echinococcus granulosus, Hymenolepis nana

 

Pathogenic fungi, as follows:

Surface pathogenic fungi, dermatomycosis, mucosal pathogenic fungi, and visceral pathogenic fungi

 

 

Human pathogens, as follows:

Lice, scale insect, Sarcoptes scabiei

 

B) Practical course (duration: 17 hours)

Goals:

Familiarization with morphology, evolutionary course, pathogenicity, diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of parasites and protozoa and human pathogenic fungi in Iran.

Detection of helminth parasites, protozoa and pathogenic fungi through showing slides and observing educational slides

 

Educational Methods:

A) Theoretical teaching in the form of lecture, along with the use of teaching aids.

B) Practical teaching in the form of:

1) Lectures using teaching aids and demonstration.

 

Responsibilities of Students:

1. Active and regular participation in theory classes.

2. Responding to questions raised during the class.

3. Being prepared for written and oral exams at the end of each section.

4. Active participation in discussions during the theory classes.

 

Assessment Methods for Academic Advancement:

1. Theory course in the form of multiple-choice questions and a number of matching, blank and short essay questions.

2. Practical course in the form of detecting common parasites.

 

References:

1. Emami, Masoud, Medical Parasitology, Tehran: University of Tehran, 1991.

2. Edward K. Markell, Marietta Voge, Medical Parasitology. Tehran: Kalameh Publications, 1987.

3. Brown H.W., Medical Parasitology, Translated by Farhad Hematkhah, Karim Hemati. Tehran: Shahraab Publications (2001).

4. Brown, H.W., & Neva, F.A., Basic Clinical Parasitology, Eighth Edition, 2000.

5. Muller, R., & Baker, J.R., Medical parasitology, (1998).