Parasitology Tropical Med

2 Credits · Level: Graduate

This graduate seminar combines presentations by experts in microbiology and life science, international policy, and biotechnology. In this course, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the parasites of greatest concern to human. They will explore the diversity of parasites, including protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites, and their impacts on human populations, with particular attention to zoonoses and public health in intertropical zone and the risk of global spread. They will learn the strategies to identify, respond and prevent parasitic infections including treatment, vaccination, and habitat management to limit transmission. Finally, students will become familiar with current challenges such as parasite resistance and the influence of climate change on parasite distribution, enabling them to effectively contribute to the fight against these infections in a global health context. This program is divided into two main modules, each detailing the most relevant parasites for each category, transmission mechanisms, clinical manifestations, pathology, diagnostic and prevention methods, and control strategies. The first module on Human Parasitology focuses on parasites with a high impact on human health, particularly in endemic areas. It includes infectious agents with public health implications due to their prevalence, resistance to treatments, or debilitating effects. For each parasitic human infection, laboratory, diagnostic, medical countermeasures, prevention, and control will be reviewed. The second module will focus on the Impact on human health of Parasitic Zoonosis of domestic and wild animals’ origins. Students will learn about the risk posed by zoonotic diseases, the natural cycle of parasites and transmission from animals to humans, and its implications for public and veterinary health. This course uses a combination of lecture approaches, discussions, and student engagement. Students are expected to read the material provided and to be prepared to participate in all discussions. This course is open to all Ph.D. and M.S. students in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. This one-credit class meets every week of the semester. Seminars are held during the fall semester, with lectures focusing on concepts of border biohazards.