Parasitology Quiz: Trichuris & Trypanosoma

Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences: Infectious and Tropical Diseases

• Master's program offered in Biomedical Sciences
• Focus: Infectious and Tropical diseases
• Offered by Prof. G. Caljon and Prof. em. L. Maes
• Academic year: 2024 - 2025

Programme Structure (Master 1)

• Human parasites, microorganisms, and zoonoses (6 credits, Caljon, Sem1)
• Molecular bacteriology of Infectious Diseases (3 credits, Malhotra, Sem1)
• Ecology, epidemiology, and control of infectious diseases (6 credits, Leirs, Sem1)
• Integrated Infectious and tropical disease practicals (3 credits, Caljon, Sem1)
• Immunology of tropical infectious diseases (6 credits, Caljon, Sem2)
• Pathogenesis and clinical aspects of tropical infectious diseases (6 credits, Ariën, Sem2)
• Novel vaccine technologies and applications (3 credits, Delputte, Sem2)
• Molecular virology and infections (3 credits, Delputte, Sem2)

Programme Structure (Master 2)

• Molecular epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (3 credits, Dujardin, Sem1)
• Health economics and mathematical models of infectious diseases (3 credits, Beutels, Sem1)

Optional Courses (2024-2025)

• Laboratory Animal Science - Rodents (4 credits, Van Ginneken, Sem1)
• Laboratory Animal Science - Fish (4 credits, Knapen, Sem1)
• Academic English (4 credits, Ellender, Sem1 & 2)
• Quality Management and GLP (4 credits, Geuens, Sem1 & 2)
• Summer School - Course at foreign institution (4 credits, Van Dam, Sem2)
• Massive Open Online Courses (4 credits, Van Dam, Sem2)
• Entomology of vector-borne diseases (4 credits, Müller, Sem1)
• Preparedness and rapid response (4 credits, Berens-Riha, Sem1)

Topic: Parasitology

• Focuses on the study of parasitic symbiosis
• Includes protozoa, helminths, and arthropods
• Key elements include parasite morphology, biology, and diagnosis
• Relation between parasite and host, physiology, biochemistry, cell biology
• Immunological mechanisms (humoral, cellular)
• Epidemiology: transmission, distribution, and host-parasite interactions.
• Clinical disease and treatment (pharmacology, clincs, pathology)

Topic: Definitions-1

• Obligate parasitism: parasitic stage required in cycle
• Facultative parasitism: independent, non-parasitic cycle is possible
• Permanent parasitism: total cycle on the host
• Temporary parasitism: part of the cycle on the host
• Incidental parasitism: relatively rare in particular host
• Erratic parasitism: abnormal location within host
• Stenoxene: high host specificity
• Euryxene: low host specificity
• Homoxene: one host within cycle (direct)
• Heteroxene: more hosts within cycle (indirect)

Topic: Definitions-2 (Host)

• Definitive host: adult stage; sexual multiplication
• Intermediate host: larval stage (with development)
• Paratenic host: larval stage (without development)
• Vector: active role in transmission, whether biological or mechanical

Topic: Definitions-2 (other)

• Prepatent period: Between infection and becoming infectious
• Patent period: period of infectivity (production of eggs, larvae, etc.)
• Endo-parasite: lives within the host
• Ecto-parasite: lives on the host
• Meso-parasite: lives in external cavities
• Reservoir host: normal biotope of the parasite
• Zoonotic disease: vertebrate animal = source of infection for man

Topic: Host-Parasite Interactions

• Infection mechanisms – passive through food/water, active through vectors (biting/sucking)
• Ectoparasites: Limited interaction with host
• Endoparasites: intracellular interactions = immune avoidance, extracellular interactions = immune evasion; antigenic variation, host Ag incorporation, protective wall formation (cysts)

Topic: Anti-parasite Immunity

• Immune mechanisms: Humoral, Cellular.
• Immune response, including different cell types, lymphocytes, and cytokines.

Topic: General Classification

• Classification criteria include phylogenetical, biological, morphological, and genetic characteristics.
• The various taxa of biological organisms (kingdoms, classes, orders, etc.) including human parasites
• Nomenclature: genus is written in capital, and species in italics/underline
• Examples of taxonomic categories are included.

Topic: Definitions-1

• Species & strain; infection pressure
• Localization; stage

Topic: Pathogenesis

• Wasting, spoliation
• Formation of toxic products
• Immunosuppression
• Allergy and hypersensitivity
• Mechanical damage
• Irritation

Topic: Clinical Signs

• Subclinical /most frequent/
• Clinical /parasite load, specific immunity, host factors/
• GI, Respiratory, Reproduction, CNS, Vascular, Skin, Liver, Organs symptoms

Topic: Prevalence

• Tropical & subtropics
• Developing countries issue
• Poor living conditions & hygiene
• Inadequate disease control & treatment
• Malnourishment
• Poor health education
• Regional or ethnic habits
• Climate conditions
• Immunosuppression (HIV) & opportunistic infections

Topic: Specific Parasitic Infections (Examples)** 

•  Intestinal amoebas, Enterobius vermicularis, Ancylostoma duodenale, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, Toxocara canis

Topic: Prevalence: Global Health Situation & Infectious Killers

• Global health situation data
• Leading infectious killers worldwide (deaths, millions, 1998)

Topic: Prevalence: Geographical distribution

• Geographical patterns & prevalence (e.g., malaria distribution)

Topic: General Characteristics: Protozoa (Examples)

• Protozoa classification & characteristics (including morphology, reproduction)
• Intestinal amoebas (including species diagnosis, epidemiology, symptoms, treatment of infection, morphology)
• Example of specific parasite, life-cycle including its various stages
• General classification, important taxa

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Apicomplexa

• Classification of Apicomplexa, emphasizing obligate intracellular parasitic nature, apical complex, reproduction, species, life-cycles

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Coccidia/Eimerida

• Species characteristics, emphasizing host specificity, variable pathogenicity, and life cycles
• Emphasize the cycle of these parasites
• Diagnosis & treatment, common clinical symptoms

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Cryptosporidium

• Cycle description of species, host specificity, and conditions related to human infections (e.g., immunocompromized)

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Toxoplasma

• Emphasis on the toxoplasmosis cycle and role of intermediate hosts (e.g., cats, mammals)

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Sarcocystidae

• Role of intermediate hosts (e.g., mammals) in parasite cycle highlighted
• Importance of zoonosis context
• Clinical context

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Malaria (Plasmodium spp)

• Cycle, host and vector, symptoms, and diagnosis

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Babesia

• Parasitophores in RBC, pathogenicity, and cycle (zoonosis)

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Trematoda

• Emphasis on the general characteristics and morphology, digenetic fluke cycle, life cycle stages & clinical aspects

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Fasciola hepatica

• Cycle and clinical features
• Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infection highlights

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Clonorchis sinensis

• Cycle, geographical regions where it's prominent, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Fasciolopsis buski

• Key features of the parasite, including the cycle, geographic distribution, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Heterophyes, Metagonimus

• Host specificity, cycle details, and any additional details of significance for these parasitic organisms

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Paragonimus westermani

• Details about the distinctive morphological characteristics of the parasite, the cycle, geographic distribution, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, and emphasis on ectopic location (e.g., lung).

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Schistosoma

• Characteristic egg morphology
• Cycle
• Clinical features
• Diagnosis and treatment for infections(especially in humans)

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Trichobilharzia and Ornithobilharzia

• Diagnostic tools, control measures, and significance of species for human infection context
• Focus is on swimmers itch and other associated symptoms.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Cestoda

• General characteristics of cestodes, their morphology, scolex, strobila, proglottids, etc
• Overview of important species including their life cycle, common locations
• Includes specific aspects of the life cycles & clinical and diagnostic features of these species

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Diphyllobothrium latum

• Cycle and the clinical and diagnostic context. Geographical association included.
• Clinical context included.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Spirometra

• Focus on human ‘sparganosis’ context, emphasizing infection routes and location in the body. Diagnostic possibilities and preventative measures.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Taenia saginata and solium

• Life cycles of these cestodes, emphasizing the importance of raw meat consumption for infection.
• Prevention and clinical symptoms of taeniasis and cysticercosis
• Disease characteristics
• Diagnostic considerations and treatment strategies emphasized.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Hymenolepis nana and diminuta

• Emphasize species characteristics, clinical significance
• Life cycles and relevant diagnostic testing and treatment

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Dipylidium caninum

• Disease vector, clinical aspects, diagnostic techniques.
• Life Cycle details

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis

• Life cycle & significance of zoonosis for humans
• Clinical details emphasizing hydatid cyst disease
• Diagnosis and treatment for Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis infections.
• Emphasis on control and preventive measures

Topic: Important Genera/Species

• Key characteristics for nematodes including morphologies, organs
• Classification, life cycles & clinical aspects

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Strongyloides stercoralis

• Cycle, clinical symptoms associated with infection, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies for infections

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Hookworms (Ancylostomatidae)

• Morphology and diagnostic possibilities
• Clinical symptoms
• Prevalence and geographic distribution.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Cutaneous Larva Migrans

• Relevant infections via non-human hookworm larvae
• Clinical Presentation

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Ascaridida

• Clinical features, diagnostics, prevalence
• Infections prevalent in small intestine and possible migration to other organs
• Disease caused by ascaris lumbricoides in humans

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Visceral Larva Migrans

• Clinical course, symptoms, diagnosis, and management
• The importance of zoonotic transmissions in affecting different hosts, including humans.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Anisakiasis (Anisakis simplex)

• Infection routes, clinical manifestations, importance of proper food preparation and handling
• Focus on infection route, symptoms, and identification

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Enterobius vermicularis

• Clinical features, diagnosis, prevalence
• Retro-infection and auto-infection scenarios.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Trichuridae

• Clinical features, diagnosis, prevalence
• Typical symptoms seen and geographic preferences of infection

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Trichinellidae

• Clinical features, diagnosis, prevalence
• Role of humans and animals in the cycle; diagnosis considerations.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Filarial worms (Wuchereria, Brugia, Dirofilaria, Onchocerca)

• Features of transmission, and clinical symptoms
• Life cycle in detail and diagnostic techniques
• Significance in affected regions.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Dracunculus medinensis.

• Details of zoonotic transmission including the intermediate host
• Symptoms and diagnosis, treatment

Topic: Important Families/Species (Arthropods)

•  Classification of arthropods (Arachnida, Insecta)
• Medical relevance and common disease vectors for different arthropod groups
• Morphological characteristics
• Examples of parasites and their clinical impacts when affecting humans.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Lice (Anoplura)

• Features including species, vectors, and infection modes
• Clinical aspects highlighting the symptoms and course

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Bugs (Hemiptera)

• Focus on disease vectors including clinical and geographical significance
• Features of infection & disease vectors for different species

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Fleas (Siphonaptera)

• Features of transmission, disease vectors, and clinical significance

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Diptera

• Focus on Diptera, specifically the suborders Nematocera and Brachycera
• Important genera and distinguishing characteristics
• Disease vectors and associated clinical details

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Culicidae

• Subdivisions of the family (Culicinae, Anophelinae) and distinguishing characteristics
• Classification and disease vectors highlighted; clinical aspects emphasized.
• Role of mosquito in different vectors.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Simulium

• Focuses on the classification, vector role, and characteristics of these insects
• Clinical significance and associated disease symptoms are highlighted.

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Psychodidae

• Focus on these insects, their distinguishing features, vector role, classification
• Clinical presentations associated with particular infection context

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Glossina

• Classification, species characteristics, geographic distribution, and associated vector role and clinical context.
• Transmission context; role in zoonotic disease transmission

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Tabanidae

• Features of these flies including the role as a mechanical vector and characteristics

Topic: Important Genera/Species: Flies (general)

• Taxonomy, general characteristics, relevant species
• clinical pathology from various infections

Topic: Antiparasitic Drugs

• Overview of antiparasitic drugs, their actions, and uses
• Different drugs for treating different parasite types

Topic: Overview of Zoonoses

• Global distribution and impact of zoonotic diseases
• Zoonotic diseases & associated diseases

Topic: Parasitological diagnosis

• Methods for identifying parasites in different sample types (faeces, blood, urine, skin)
• Diagnostic tools and equipment used (including microscopes, centrifuges, etc.)

Topic: Parasitological Diagnosis

• Diagnostic methods used in parasitological investigations in humans
• Serological diagnostics
• Clinical evaluation