Main Goal:

Familiarization of students with parasites and parasitic diseases (helminths, protozoa, arthropods and fungi) and recognition of common infections in Iran

 

Specific Goals:

At the end of the theory and practical courses, students are expected to:

1. Express the generalities and common definitions in parasitology.

2. State the shape and scientific names of parasites microscopically and macroscopically with an emphasis on common parasites of the country.

3. Provide a summary of cycle of life, infection source and reservoirs and fully explain about common parasites of the country.

4. Explain the transmission method for parasitic diseases.

5. Express the geographical distribution of common parasitic diseases in the country.

6. Name the main clinical symptoms of the mentioned diseases.

7. Name the treatment methods and selected medications for current diseases in the country.

8. Explain about preventive methods for the mentioned diseases.

9. Be able to search the internet and gather information from scientific books according to the time and location of referrals to eliminate their own problems in detecting and treating parasitic and fungal diseases.

 

Course Content and Order of Presentation:

A) Theory course: three credits, presented in the form of four sections.

The first section: Protozoology, containing 11 sessions, as follows:

Generalities, protozoa, including sarcodina, ciliates, flagellates and apicomplexan

The second section: Helminthology, including:

Generalities, trematodes, cestodes, and intestinal, blood, and tissue nematodes (in total: nine sessions).

The third section: Mycology, including:

Generalities, surface pathogenic fungi, dermatomycosis, mucosal pathogenic fungi, and visceral pathogenic fungi (in total: six sessions)

The fourth session: arthropods, including:

Generalities, insects (anoplura, hemiptera, dictyoptera, siphonaptera, diptera) and arachnids (ticks and mites) (in total: five sessions)

B: Practical course held in 17 sessions

Goal of Practical Course:

Familiarization of students with parasites and parasitic diseases (helminths, protozoa, arthropods and fungi), recognition of common infections in Iran

Practical course, containing four sections, including:

Observing parasitic and intestinal, blood and tissue protozoa samples,

Helminthology, including: trematodes, cestodes and nematodes,

Mycology, including: common and widespread fungi, and

Arthropods, including: medically important insects and arachnids

In the form of microscopic and microscopic images, screening movies and showing slides (in total: 17 two-hour sessions)

Teaching Methods:

A) Theory teaching is carried out using lectures by faculty members and assistant professors with the help of teaching aids.

B) Practical teaching, as follows:

1) Lectures with teaching aids and demonstration.

Required Teaching Aids:

A) Theory classes:

1. Data projector

2. Computer

3. Projector, Slides

4. Whiteboard, projector and related accessories

B) Practical classes:

1. Microscope

2. Video microscope

3. Data projector

4. Projector-slides

5. Whiteboard, overhead and related accessories

Responsibilities of Students:

1. Active and regular participation in theory classes.

2. Answering the questions raised during teaching.

3. Be prepared for written and oral exams at the end of the course.

4. Actively participate in various discussions that happen in theory classes.

5. Express their opinions and knowledge about the discussed issues.

6. In practical courses, students must previously study the instructions and be regularly active in class.

7. Be able to identify samples and performed the assignments.

8. Be able to evaluate microscopic samples of protozoa, microscopic and macroscopic samples of helminths, fungi and arthropods using slides, montaged and prepared samples by students and with the guidance of professors and instructors.

 

Evaluation Methods:

A) Theory course in the form of written multiple-choice exam and a limited number of matching, fill-in-the-blank and short essay questions.

B) Practical course in the form of station test, in which microscopic and macroscopic samples are determined and students can present their oral or written responses regarding the detection of samples.

 

References:

1. Edrisian et al., Medical Protozoology, Tehran University Publications, First Edition, 2007.

2. Arfa Fereydoon, Medical Helminthology, Fifth Edition, Keshavarz Publications, Tehran, 2002.

3. Saebi Esmail, Parasitical Diseases of Iran, Protozoan Diseases, Fourth Vol., Eighth Edition, Ayizh Publications, 2007.

4. Emami, Masoud et al., Medical Mycology, Fifth Edition, Tehran University Publications, 2003.

5. Athari, Amid, Translation of Neva FA-Brown HW Book: Medical Parasitology, Fifth Edition, Ayizh Translation, 2007.

6. Zeini, Farideh et al., Comprehensive Medical Mycology, Tehran University Publications, Second Edition, 2004.

7. Beaver PC, Jung RC, Cupp EW, Clinical Parasitology , Ninth Edition, Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1984.

8. Markell EK, John DT, Krotoski WA, Markel & Voge’s, Medical Parasitology, Ninth Edition, Philadelphia, W B Saunders, 2006.

9. Rippon JW: Medical Mycology, Philadelphia, W B Saunders, 1984.

10. Neva FA, Brown HW, Brown & Nova Basic Clinical Parasitology.