Basic Medical Parasitology

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. explain basic concepts of protozoa; 2. discuss the basic concepts of helminthes of medical importance; 3. describe the methods of demonstration of parasites in clinical samples; 4. discuss the basic concepts of Arthropods of medical importance; and 5. empower students with knowledge vectors of important diseases of man.

Introduction to the parasites. Classification of protozoa, (the amoebas, the ciliates, the flagellates, Nematodes. (Ascaris, Strongloides, Trichuris, guineaworm, hookworms, Trichinella, Enterobius and many others). Life cycle and pathogenicity of Cestodes. (The tapeworms, Larval forms of cestodes). Life cycle and pathogenicity of the Trematodes (The Schistosome, Fasciola, Paragonimus, and many others). Methods of demonstration of parasites in blood, faeces, vagina, urine, urethra, pus from lung and liver, skin snips, and many others. Mechanisms of their disease production; Epidemiology and control of parasitic diseases.Arthropods of medical importance particularly members of the class Diptera, the crustaceans, Arachnida, Hexapoda, Myiasis and many others, their biology, life cycles and control. Life history as disease vectors; various diseases of importance transmissible by insects. Biology of mosquito in relation to transmission of malaria, filariasis, viral infections and many others.