Introduction to Parasitology - MB160P70
Title: Základy parazitologie
Czech title: Základy parazitologie
Guaranteed by: Department of Parasitology (31-161)
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Actual: from 2021
Semester: winter
E-Credits: 4
Examination process: winter s.:combined
Hours per week, examination: winter s.:3/0, Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: Czech
Note: enabled for web enrollment
Guarantor: doc. RNDr. Jan Votýpka, Ph.D.
Teacher(s): doc. RNDr. Jan Votýpka, Ph.D.
Incompatibility : MB160P25
Is complex co-requisite for: MB160C25
Opinion survey results   Examination dates   WS schedule    E-learning course
Annotation -
It is recommended to take this course in the 1st or 2nd year of the bachelor program.
The course introduces parasitism from human and veterinary medical perspectives, as well as ecological (parasitism as a biological phenomenon) and zoological perspectives.
Emphasis is placed on the basic life cycles and strategies of parasites, including parasite-host relationships. In the systematic part, the most important human and animal parasites are discussed and the course focuses on the most important human parasites both worldwide and in the Czech Republic. The systematic part is divided into (i) parasitic helminths (flukes, tapeworms, nematodes), (ii) parasitic protozoa and (iii) arthropods as parasites, embarrassers and disease vectors. In addition to these groups, attention is given to parasitoids, parasitic plants, phytopathogens, and nesting and social parasitism, and parasitic fungi are not neglected. Emphasis is also placed on emerging diseases in our country and in the world, both animal and plant.
Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (31.08.2024)
Literature -

Paraziti a jejich biologie. Volf, Horák a kol. 2007, Triton Praha-Kroměříž 
Parazitismus. Votýpka, Varga 2003, IDM (http://www.biologickaolympiada.cz/ - Soutěž - Studijní materiály) 

O parazitech a lidech. Votýpka, Kolářová, Horák a kol., 2023, Triton Praha
Vládce parazit. Zimmer 2005, Paseka
Speciální mikrobiologie a parazitologie. Bednář, Souček, Vávra 1994, Triton Praha

MOODLE: https://dl3.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=149

Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (31.08.2024)
Requirements to the exam -

The exam includes: (i) multiple-choice questions, (ii) verbal answers and/or addition of word(s), (iii) questions based on the projection of images. (45 minutes + about 10 minutes for the projected image documentation). The test is designed to contain as many questions as possible covering different parts of the subject; in this way the general overview and orientation in the relevant subject matter is verified. However, due to the large number of questions from different areas and the limited time to complete the test, the evaluation itself is very benevolent: only 40% of the total score is sufficient to pass.

Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (31.08.2024)
Syllabus -

The course is suitable for students of various disciplines.
Recommended course for admission to the subsequent Master's degree in Parasitology. Suitable for students applying for this course in the 1st or 2nd year of their bachelor's degree.

This course defines the concept of parasitism and discusses parasites important in human and veterinary medicine (protozoa, worms, arthropods) as well as other types of parasites. It introduces parasitism as a biological phenomenon that occurs at all levels of organization of living matter. Provides an overview of the biology, distribution, life cycles, and modes of transmission of parasites, as well as basic survival strategies in the host. It includes basic information on the epidemiology, symptoms and pathogenesis of parasitic infections, as well as treatment and prevention options. Part of the course is devoted to the transmission of infectious diseases by blood-sucking arthropods, including factors that influence the parasite-vector-host relationship. It also explains the basic principles of the cycle of various pathogens in nature and their threat to humans. Emphasis is also placed on emerging diseases, both in this country and worldwide. The practical aspects of parasites in humans, pets and livestock are also discussed.

Systematic Part - Overview of the discussed parasites:
Platyhelminthes: Flukes: Schistosoma spp., Cercaria dermatitis, fluke infections of liver, lung, and intestine. Monogeneans.
Tapeworms of the genera Diphyllobothrium, Hymenolepis, Taenia, Echinococcus.
Nematodes: Strongyloides stercoralis, hookworms (Strongylidae), Enterobius vermicularis, roundworms Ascaris lumbricoides and Toxocara, Dracunculus medinensis, filariae Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus, thin-head fluke Trichuris trichiura and muscle fluke Trichinella spiralis.
Wrasses (Acanthocephala)
Annelida (leeches): medicinal Hirudo medicinalis et al.
Protozoa: Trypanosomes - T. brucei and T. cruzi, Leishmania, Giardia intestinalis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica, free-living hookworms (Naegleria, Acantamoeba) causing accidental infections. Coccidia (Eimeria, Isospora, Toxoplasma), Plasmodium - causes of human malaria, Babesia. Parasitic fluke (Ciliata).
Microsporidia.
Myxospora.
Opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals, including Pneumocystis carinii.
Arthropoda: Mites - ticks (Argasidae), ticks (Ixodidae), Sarcoptes scabiei, Neotrombicula autumnalis, Demodex mites, allergy mites, lice (Anoplura). Insects - bedbugs Cimex lectularius, fleas (Aphaniptera) and two-legged insects of the families Culicidae, Psychodidae, Ceratopogonidae, Simuliidae, Tabanidae, Stomoxyidae, Glossinidae, Hippoboscidae. Diptera causing myiasis (Oestridae, Cuterebridae, Calliphoridae, and Sarcophagidae).
Parasitoids.
Fungal diseases.
Plants as parasites. Plants as hosts: phytonematodes, oomycetes, nematode parasites including fig wasps.
Breeding and social parasites: birds, ants and bees.

Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (31.08.2024)