Fundamentals of Parasitology

3 units

This course covers a variety of clinically relevant parasitic organisms and their importance to human disease. During this course we will: 1.The Semester is divided into two halves. a.The first half will discuss clinically relevant worm parasites. b.The second half will discuss protozoan parasites that cause multiple types of diseases. 2.For each of the parasitic classes discussed we will present general characteristics of the parasite as follows: a.The lifecycle of the particular parasite. b.The clinical disease profile. c.Interactions of parasites with the host immune response both in terms of mechanisms whereby the host resists infections by these organisms and also how these parasites circumvent the host's ability to eliminate them. d.Because so much of the clinical importance of parasites has to do with this interaction, we will also cover general aspects of the workings of the immune system. There will be an emphasis on the nature of the host-parasite interaction on a molecular level. e.Finally we will discuss what available therapies are available and what potential therapies are being developed. 3.These lectures will include discussions of recent literature concerning parasites and their interactions with the host. 5479 is for MA in Biology students. Undergraduates should register for 4479. This course does not count toward the undergraduate biology major.