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Selective course in field parasitology. A field trip to the area of south-eastern Romania (Danube Delta), where a "Summer School" will be held in cooperation with students and teachers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Cluj and students and teachers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Brno, in order to introduce students mainly to the examination, detection and diagnostic methods focused on internal and external parasites of livestock and wildlife. The program will also include trapping, identification and dissection of blood-sucking insects and other arthropods. Students will have their own research projects (collection, processing and evaluation of material) as part of the field placement. In some years this course (International Summer School: Field Parasitology) may take place in other suitable locations in cooperation with local universities.
Students are expected to contribute financially. You can learn more about the course in previous years from the participants' own writings, videos and photo galleries - see http://web.natur.cuni.cz/parasitology/vyuka/Fieldparasitology/. Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (31.08.2024)
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Volf, Horák a kol: Paraziti a jejich biologie, Triton 2007
Mullen, Durden a kol: Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Academic Press 2002, 2009 Klíče FAUNA ČSSR Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (31.08.2024)
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Active participation in the field (laboratory) course (even partial absence is not allowed). It is mandatory to keep a record of all observations, catches, necropsies, etc., including a list of all hosts (common and scientific names) and parasites (scientific names), as well as drawings of the observed parasites. Active participation in working groups and active completion of tasks within individual work activities (both in working groups and individually) is also required. Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (31.08.2024)
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This intensive week-long course takes place in the agricultural landscape of the Danube Delta and focuses on providing students with practical experience with parasites of domestic animals and selected wild species, particularly birds and amphibians. The main objective is to demonstrate and identify arthropods, helminths, and protozoa, observe their ontogeny and life cycles in natural conditions, and link field experience with laboratory analysis. The course is primarily led by veterinarians and takes place in an international and multidisciplinary environment, where students from various faculties and countries gain experience in handling domestic and wild animals, collecting samples, and conducting veterinary-oriented diagnostics, with wild animals serving only as supplementary observations. Students actively participate in field collection and investigative activities, including the collection and parasitological examination of domestic animals, the capture and examination of mammals, birds, and amphibians, the collection of their ectoparasites, and systematic dissections to detect endoparasites. The course also includes the capture of blood-feeding dipterans using light and CO₂ traps, their identification, and dissection to detect transmitted helminths and protozoa, isolation of live parasites for cultivation and in vitro study, and the collection of aquatic mollusks, which serve as intermediate hosts for flukes and other helminths. Emphasis is placed on methodologically correct procedures, safe and ethical handling of domestic and wild animals, and precise documentation of collected material. The course also includes a long-term research project conducted in groups. Students plan sample collection, carry out laboratory processing, analyze data, and present their results to other participants. The course therefore fosters not only practical veterinary and parasitological skills but also teamwork, planning of field and laboratory work, and the interpretation of results in the context of veterinary medicine, ecology, small-scale agriculture, and parasitology. Students are introduced to the ecological, agricultural, and agroecological context of the small-scale farming landscape of the Danube Delta, the historical and contemporary methods of livestock management and care, and the impact of human activities on hosts and parasites. The course promotes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating veterinary medicine, zoology, ecology, behavioral sciences, and epidemiology, while allowing practical testing of various field and laboratory methods. During the course, students have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of parasite biology and ecology, critically evaluate collection and diagnostic methods, interpret host–parasite–environment relationships, and apply practical veterinary procedures. The course also develops adaptability to changing field conditions, skills for working both independently and in groups, and promotes international collaboration and exchange of experience among students and instructors from different countries. The outcome of the course is the students’ ability to integrate field and laboratory data, document and analyze collected samples, conduct and evaluate a group research project, present results, and apply ethical and safe practices when working with domestic and wild animals and biological materials. The course provides a unique opportunity to combine practical veterinary skills, theoretical knowledge, and a multidisciplinary approach in a real-world field environment of a small-scale agricultural landscape. Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (07.01.2026)
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Upon completion of the one-week (7–10 days) intensive international field course (summer school), the student will acquire: Knowledge · Describe the main groups of parasites (arthropods, helminths, protozoa) affecting both domestic and wild animals, including their morphology, life cycles, and host interactions. · Understand the veterinary approach to parasite examination and diagnosis, and distinguish it from biological or ecological approaches. · Explain the ecological, epidemiological, and agroecological context of parasite–host relationships, including aspects of animal behaviour, rural farm management, and the impact of human activities on parasite occurrence. · Integrate knowledge from veterinary medicine, zoology, ecology, parasitology, and epidemiology to analyse field and laboratory data. · Understand methods for parasite collection, fixation, preservation, and preparation for further study, including cultivation and laboratory processing. · Appreciate the importance of international collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and communication in scientific projects and practical research. Skills · Perform field and laboratory methods: capture and handle domestic and wild animals, collect ectoparasites, conduct necropsies for endoparasites, trap blood-sucking dipterans, and prepare material for cultivation and identification. · Apply diagnostic and detection methods targeting parasites of domestic and wild animals, including morphological keys, online databases, and laboratory techniques. · Plan, organise, and execute a week-long group project, including data collection, laboratory analysis, result evaluation, and presentation to fellow students. · Work effectively in multi-institutional international teams, communicate across disciplines, and coordinate joint activities. · Systematically document results—notes, sketches, photographs, laboratory protocols, and presentations—and interpret them in veterinary, ecological, and epidemiological contexts. Competences · Integrate field observations, laboratory analyses, and theoretical knowledge for a comprehensive understanding of parasite biology and ecology. · Critically evaluate various host and parasite collection and examination methods and interpret their results in an interdisciplinary context. · Apply ethical and veterinary standards when handling domestic and wild animals and working with biological material. · Understand the characteristics of small-scale rural farming and its influence on parasite dynamics. · Develop the ability to work independently and in teams, plan field projects, and present results effectively to colleagues. · Adapt to different methods, field, and laboratory conditions, assess their advantages and limitations, and apply a multidisciplinary approach to practical problems. · Actively participate in international and interdisciplinary projects, share knowledge, and contribute to team decision-making and collective data analysis. Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.01.2026)
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