Udergraduate Teaching

 

Parasitology is taught in the following modules

  • Foundation Module
  • Foundation Module 2
  • Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Module

FOUNDATION MODULE – Parasitology component
Introduction

At the end of the Foundation Module the student should acquire a basic knowledge in Parasitology and the necessary skills on the use of a light microscope. The learning experience gained would provide a foundation that would enable further learning in Parasitology in the Applied Sciences Stream.

General Objectives
At the end of the module the students should be able to:

    • Outline the general classification of parasites.
    • Briefly describe the features of parasitism and the different types of host – parasite relationships.
    • Describe the different mode/s of transmission of parasites to humans.
    • List the principles of diagnosis, prevention and control of parasite infections.
    • Acquire the necessary skills to use a light microscope for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases.

Specific Objectives
At the end of the module the student should be able to:

    • Define the common nomenclature and terms used in Parasitology:  parasite, host, endoparasite, ectoparasite, pathogen, commensal, obligatory parasite, facultative parasite, immunopathology, virulence.
    • Describe briefly the characteristic features of each of the above with examples.
    • Describe the different mode/s of transmission of the parasitic diseases.
    • Outline the principles used in the laboratory diagnosis including selection of appropriate specimens for aetiological diagnosis and their proper collection and transport.
    • Relate the life cycle, source and mode of transmission to the prevention and control of disease.
    • Use the compound light microscope for examination of stool and blood smears. 

Lecture titles

  • Introduction to Parasitology
  • Principles of transmission, laboratory diagnosis, prevention and control of parasitic diseases

Practical: Use of microscope for laboratory diagnosis of parasitic diseases
Foundation Module 2 (Previously known as Basic Microbiology and Parasitology Module)

  • INTRODUCTION

The Parasitology component in the Foundation Module 2 will span itself through three weeks during the 5th term (week 7-10) of the undergraduate MBBS course. This module will complement the teaching made during the Foundation module, and lay the foundation for the teaching/learning sessions of the more comprehensive Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Module which the students have to follow through in the 6th and 7th term.
The format and the objectives specified below are being subjected to regular review and amendments may be introduced as appropriate.

Format
  1.  A minimum of 13 lecture hours per student
  2.  A minimum of 6 practical/demonstration hours per student
  3.  One hour allocated time for viewing CD Rom developed by the Department of Parasitology
 

  • OBJECTIVES

2.1          GENERAL OBJECTIVES
Taking medically important parasitic diseases into consideration the student should be able to:

  • Describe the aetiology, pathology and pathogenesis of common parasitic infections and critically evaluate diagnostic methods used in common parasitic diseases in Sri Lanka.
  • Describe the epidemiology of parasitic infections in Sri Lanka and globally
  • Discuss the principles of disease transmission, including source, mode of transmission, portal of entry and virulence of pathogens
  • Discuss the principles underlying the laboratory diagnosis
  • Explain the principles of prevention and control

 2.2          SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Blood and Tissue protozoa

  • Malaria

The student should be able to:

  • Describe the life cycle of human malaria parasites and the different modes of malaria transmission
  • Describe the morphological features of malaria parasite stages that occur in the human host, particularly those that are relevant for diagnosis of human malaria.
  • Describe the clinical outcomes of malaria infections
  • Outline the factors that determine the clinical outcome of a malaria infection, including immunity to malaria
  • List the methods used in the diagnosis of malaria, including their advantages and disadvantages
  •  Discuss the methods used in the control of the disease

Toxoplasmosis
The student should be able to:

  • Describe the morphology of Toxoplasma gondii
  • Outline the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii
  • List the modes of transmission of infection
  • Describe the spectrum of clinical manifestations
  • Describe the principles of diagnosis
  • Discuss the principles of management
  • List the preventive measures that can be taken to prevent infection

Leishmaniasis
The student should be able to:

  • Describe the life cycle of Leishmania spp parasites
  • Describe the different clinical presentations
  • Describe the morphological features of Leishmania parasite stages that occur in the human host, particularly the details relevant for the laboratory diagnosis
  • List the factors that determine the clinical outcome of this infection
  • Outline the principles of the diagnostic methods used.
  • Describe the factors that affect disease transmission and principles of its prevention and control.

Blood and tissue helminths
Bancroftian filariasis
The student should be able to:
                                                                                                                                                            

  • Outline the geographical distribution of bancroftian filariasis, globally and in Sri Lanka       
  • Describe the epidemiological aspects of lymphatic filariasis with special reference to Sri Lanka
  • Describe the mode/s of transmission
  • Outline the life cycle of the causative parasite
  • Describe the clinical spectrum of lymphatic filariasis
  • Describe the underlying pathogenesis of these clinical manifestations
  • Describe the methods available for diagnosis including their advantages and disadvantages
  • Discuss the control of filariasis including the new strategies being currently practiced
  • Discuss the strategies available for treatment of lymphatic filariasis
  • Discuss the social implications of the disease
  • Name the other filarial infections that may occur.

Intestinal and Urogenital protozoal parasites
The student should be able to briefly describe the following aspects regarding medically important intestinal and urogenital protozoal parasites (i.e. Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli, Cryptosporidium parvum and Trichomonas vaginalis)

  • The different morphological forms
  • Epidemiological aspects
  • Life cycles
  • Modes of transmission
  • Sites of infection in the human body
  • Pathogenesis, clinical features and complications
  • Laboratory diagnosis
  • Principles of treatment
  • Preventive measures

Intestinal Helminthiasis
Intestinal nematodes

The student should be able to:

  • List the medically important nematodes that inhabit the human intestines
  • Briefly describe the following aspects with regard to these nematodes
    • The morphology of the different stages
    • Life cycle
    • Methods of transmission to humans
    • Clinical manifestations and complications
    • Methods of diagnosis
    • Prevention and control

Cestodes

  • List the medically important cestodes that inhabit the human intestines
  • Outline their
    • Life cycle
    • Methods of transmission to humans
    • Clinical manifestations and complications
    • Methods of diagnosis
    • Methods of prevention

Snakes
The student should be able to:

  • List the important snakes belonging to the families- Elapidae, Viperidae and Colubridae
  • Name the important venomous and non-venomous snakes
  • Differentiate between Elapids, Vipers and Colubrides based on their morphological characteristics
  • Identify the important snakes based on their body markings
  • List the measures taken to prevent snake bite
  • Describe the first aid measures given to snake bite victims

Zoonotic diseases
Students should be able to:

  • List the different classifications of zoonoses
  • Describe examples of zoonotic infections especially those reported in Sri Lanka
  • Briefly describe the following aspects with regard to zoonotic infections frequently reported locally:
    • Causative agent
    • Mode/s of transmission
    • Diagnosis
    • Prevention and control
    • The factors influencing the incidence and prevalence of zoonotic infections
    • The principles of surveillance, prevention, control and elimination of zoonotic infections.

Emerging and re-emerging infections

The student should be able to:

  • Define emerging and re-emerging infections
  • List the diseases which may be important to Sri Lanka and those diseases emerging and re-emerging in Sri Lanka and globally
  • Briefly describe the factors which predispose to the emergence and re-emergence of infections
  • Recognize the current handicaps when dealing with the risks of these infections
  • Outline the emergence of drug resistance in pathogens
  • Briefly describe the preventive aspects of these infections

 

Medically important Arthropods
The student should be able to:

  • List the different groups of arthropods that have an impact on human health
  • Describe the various mechanisms by which they impart ill effects

Mosquitoes

  • List the important species of vector mosquitoes in Sri Lanka and the diseases they transmit
  • Describe their habits and breeding grounds
  • List the methods available for control and the basis of each method

Flies

  • Explain the importance of housefly as a mechanical vector of disease
  • List the other groups of flies that are medically important
  • Briefly describe myiasis

Ticks/fleas/bugs

  • Differentiate them from each other
  • Describe their medical importance and available control methods

 

Mites

  • Identify Sarcoptes scabiei mite
  • Describe the mode/s of transmission, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, complications and treatment of scabies

 

Lice

  • Differentiate between the head, body and pubic louse
  • Describe the treatment and control methods.

Practical skills to be acquired
At the end of the Foundation Module 2 the student should,

  • Be able to properly use the compound light microscope
  • Describe the principles regarding collection, storage and delivery/transport of faecal and blood specimens to a laboratory for diagnosis of parasitic infections
  • Be able to examine stained thin blood films and identify malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax)
  • Be able to examine stained thick blood films and identify microfilaria (Wuchereria bancrofti)
  • Be able to prepare and examine wet smears of stools in saline and iodine to identify intestinal protozoal and helminth parasites
  • Identify
    -           the snakes of medical importance
    -           the mosquitoes and flies of medical importance by their body markings

LECTURES, FILMS AND CDROMS

 

Lectures (hrs)

FIMLS/ CD

Malaria

3

1

Toxoplasmosis

1

 

Leishmaniasis

1

 

Filariasis

2

 

Intestinal and urogenital protozoa

1

 

Small intestinal nematodes

2

 

Large intestinal nematodes

1

 

Medically important arthropods

1

1

Emerging and Re-emerging infections and Zoonotic parasitic diseases

1

1

Snakes

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

4

INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DISEASE MODULE

Objectives of the Module:

On completion of the Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Module a student should be able to:

  • Identify the important infectious and parasitic diseases and problems related to them in individuals and the community and plan and implement appropriate preventive measures, diagnostic and curative practises and rehabilitation methods.
  • Identify environmental and behavioural risk factors for the acquisition of infectious and parasitic diseases in the community and recommend and implement activities which promote health of the individual and community.
  • Describe the principles of disease transmission and innovate and implement disease containment methods in endemic and epidemic situations.
  • Work harmoniously with others as a leader/member of a multi-disciplinary care delivery team.
  • Educate and train other individuals, health care personnel and the community, towards better health.
  • Carry out or confirm to basic procedures related to ethical issues and the proper notification of infectious and parasitic diseases.
  • Plan and carry out appropriate infectious and parasitic disease related research projects/assignments.

Develop into a self-directed learner with the capacity to recognize the need for self
evaluation.