Cairo University

Faculty of Medicine

Department of Parasitology

 

 

COURSE SPECIFICATIONS

Course Title                                 MEDICAL PARASITOLOGY

THIRD YEAR of  M.B.&B.Ch PROGRAM

 

 

Allocated marks           : 150 marks

Course duration            : 30 weeks (one academic year) (September à May)

Total teaching hours      : 60 hours lectures + 60 hours practical classes

Course director            : Prof. Dr. Olfat M. El Matarawy

                                      Head of Parasitology Department

Teaching staff               : 20 professors, 8 assistant professors 3 lecturers and

                                      6 assistant lecturers

 

 

I. AIM OF THE COURSE:

·        To provide students with knowledge concerning biological,  epidemiological and ecological aspects of parasites causing diseases to humans.

·        To enable students to understand the pathogenesis, clinical presentations and complications of these diseases.

·        To enable students to reach diagnosis and know the general outline of treatment, prevention and control of parasitic infections.

·        To provide students with adequate knowledge about endemic parasites and national parasitic problems.


 

 

II. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

II-1: Knowledge and understanding :

            By the end of the course, students should be able to :

1-     Describe the world distribution of important parasitic infections and explain the factors determining such distribution and their socioeconomic impact on the community.

2-     Describe the morphology and life cycle of parasites of medical importance.

3-     Describe pathogenesis, clinical signs and symptoms and complications of parasitic infections.

4-     Outline the treatment for various parasitic infections and mention the methods of prevention and control of infection on individual and community levels.

5-     Discuss the methods of recovery of parasites from environmental samples and their culture methods.

6-     Describe common arthropods of medical interest and explain their medical importance and methods of combat.

7-     Outline of fundamental immunology and molecular biology applicable in parasitology to achieve better and accurate diagnosis.

8-     Enumerate complication associated with parasitic infections and manipulation of infectious materials especially in hospitals.

 

II-2: Professional and Laboratory Skills

            By the end of the course, student should be able to

9-           Identify microscopically different parasites as well as their different stages (eggs, cysts and larvae) or any of their body parts (segments, hooks and scolices) examination urine or stool.

10-       Diagnose  haemoparasites detectable in blood films.

11-       Identify parasites and their different stages through examination of mounted slides.

12-       Identify different parasites in tissue and demonstration of their reactions in such tissues by nacked eye (Jars).

13-       Identify arthropods of medical importance through examination of whole body or any part in mounted specimens.

 

II-3: INTELLECTUAL SKILLS

            By the end of the course, student should be able to

14-       Interpret the most important signs and symptoms of important parasitic infections of endemic character (using case study).

15-       Choose the best suited laboratory investigations for each parasite and interpret the clinical and laboratory findings to reach a proper diagnosis.

II-4: General SKILLS & Attitudes

            By the end of the course, student should be able to

16- React positively with any parasitic problem on a national level e.g. Bilharziasis or filariasis.

17- Be aware of national campaingns which are conducted to combat enedemic parasitic infections by M.O.H.P.

18- Work in a multi disciplinary health care team to solve parasitic problems in the community.

19- Respect the role of staff and co-staff members regardless of degree or occupations.


 

 

III. COURSE CONTENT

 

III-1:TOPICS

Topics

% of total hrs

% of each subject hrs

No. of hours

Total

Lecture

Practical

I- Introduction to parasitology

1.6%

 

1

1

 

II-Helminthology

41.6%

100%

25

 

30 hrs total

*Trematoda

- Introduction &Fasciola species

- Heterophyes heterophyes

-Paragonimus westermani

-Schistosoma species

*Cestoda

-Introduction

-Diphyllobothrium species

-Taenia species

-Echinococcus species & Multiceps multiceps

-Hymenolepis species

-Extraintestinal Cestodes

 

3.3%

1.6%

 

5%

8.3%

1.6%

 

1.6%

1.6%

 

1.6%

1.6%

 

8%

4%

 

12%

100%

4%

 

4%

4%

 

4%

4%

6

 

 

 

 

5

 

2

1

 

3

 

1

 

1

1

 

1

1

6 hrs

 

 

 

 

6 hrs

*Nematoda

Intestinal nematodes

-Introduction

-Ascaris lumbricoides

-Trichuris trichiura

-Enterobius vermicularis

-Hook worms

-Trichostrongylus & Strongyloides

-Capillaria philippinensis

-Trichinella spiralis

-Tissue nematodes

-Dracunculus medinensis

-Wuchereria bancrofti & Brugia malayi

-Onchocerca volvulus & Loa loa

- Larva migrans (visceral and cutaneous).

23.3%

11.6%

1.6%

 

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

 

1.6%

1.6%

11.6%

1.6%

5%

 

1.6%

1.6%

100%

 

4%

 

4%

4%

4%

4%

 

4%

4%

100%

4%

12%

 

4%

4%

14 hrs

7 hrs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7hrs

 

 

1

 

1

1

1

1

 

1

1

 

1

3

 

1

1

 

8 hrs

Protozoology :

- Intestinal protozoa

- Introduction & Entamoeba histolytica

- Commensal amoebae & Balantidium coli

-Giardia lamblia

-Cryptosporidium parvum

-Cyclospora & Isospora

-Urogenital protozoa

-Blood & tissue protozoa

-Plasmodium species & Babesia

-Leishmania species

-Trypanosomes

-Toxoplasma gondii

-Free living amoebae

-Microsporidia & opportunistic protozoa

30%

10%

3.3%

 

1.6%

 

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

18.3%

5%

3.3%

3.3%

3.3%

1.6%

1.6%

100%

33.3%

11.1%

 

5.5%

 

5.5%

5.5%

5.5%

5.5%

61%

16.6%

11.1%

11.1%

11.1%

5.5%

5.5%

8

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

11

 

 

2

 

1

 

1

1

1

1

 

3

2

2

2

1

1

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Immunology & molecular parasitology

-Types of immunity & mechanisms

-Vaccination, immunopathology

-Molecular parasitology

-Evasion

-Immunodiagnosis

8.3%

 

1.6%

 

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

100%

 

20%

 

0%

20%

20%

20%

 

5

 

1

 

1

1

1

1

 

Entomology

-Introduction & Mosquitoes

-Phlebotomus spp, Simulidae ceratopogonidae & Tabanidae

-Muscidae

- Calliphoridae& Oestridae, Myiasis

-Fleas –Lice –Bugs

-Ticks

-Mites

-Scorpion –Cyclops –Control of arthropods & Insecticides

16.6%

3.3%

1.6%

 

1.6%

3.3%

 

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

100%

20%

10%

 

10%

20%

 

10%

10%

10%

10%

1

 

2

1

 

1

2

 

1

1

1

1

 

15

Total

100%

 

 

60

60

 

Practical Classes :

-Helminthology :

    * Microscopic slides :

·  Mounts for adult parasite & its body parts (hooks, scolices or segments).

·  Mounts for parasitic stages (eggs, larvae or cysts).

·  Biopsy and tissue sections containing various parasites

* Jars (gross picture)

·  Preserved parasites

·  Pathological specimens (infected body parts)

-Protozoology

 * Microscopic slides :

·  Stages of the parasite stained with different stains.

·  Biopsy and tissue sections

·  Stages of the parasite in biological specimens

-Entomology

 * Microscopic slides:

·  Mounts for the whole arthropod and its body parts.

* Boxes (gross picture)

·  Boxes containing adult arthropods.


 

 

IV. TEACHING METHODS

 

IV-1:METHODS USED

            -Lectures

            -Practical classes (laboratory training)

            -Small tutorial groups (in practical classes once per month)

 

IV-2:METHODS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS

            -No special arrangements are available

            -Only they can attend the main lab in the first floor

         

IV-3:TEACHING PLAN:

            -Lectures :

                        * Two lectures (one hour each) weekly for 30 weeks (total 60 hours)

-Practical classes :

                        * One practical class (two hours each) weekly for 30 weeks (total 60 hours)

*Writing project on some endemic parasitic diseases using staff book, other text books and parasitological websites)

Time plan :

Item:

Time schedule

Teaching hours

Total hours

Lecture

Twice weekly

One hour

60

Practical & Tutorial

Once weekly

Two hours

60

Total

120

 

Teaching and learning facilities:

1-Lecture halls

2-Small group in lab.

3-Equiped labs with microscopes, slide projectors, overhead projectors and data show.

4-Departmental museum is used

5-Faculty library can be used for projects and textbooks

6-CD for theoritical and practical revision.


 

 

V. STUDENT ASSESSMENT

 

V-1:ATTENDANCE CRITERIA:

The minimum acceptable attendance is 60%, students failing to attend that percentage will not be allowed to take the end of year examination.

 

V-2:ASSESSMENT TOOLS:

TOOL

PURPOSE

Written examination

Assessment of knowledge and understanding. Also intellectual skills (case report) ILOs II-1(1-8) & II-3(14-15)

Practical examination

Assessment of knowledge and understanding and professional skills II 1(1-8) & II 2(9-13).

Oral examination

Assessment of knowledge and understanding & professional skills & attitude II 1(1-8) & II 2(9-13 ) & II 4 (16-19)

 

V-3:TIME SCHEDULE:

            -Mid year examination : once in January.

            -Final examination : once at the end of academic year (May).

            -Quiz before Mid year and final exam.

 

 V-4:GRADING SYSTEM:

EXAMINATION

MARKS ALLOCATED

Quiz

Mid Year examination

Practical & theoritical

Written

5 x 2 = 10

25

Final examination

Written

Practical

Oral

60

30

20

Project

 

5

Total

150

·        The minimum passing score is 90 marks provided at least 18 marks are obtained in the final written examination.

·        Passing grades are : Excellent > 85% , very good 75-<85%, Good 65-<75% and fair 60-<65%.

 

 

V-5:EXAMINATION DESCRIPTION:

 

EXAMINATION

DESCRIPTION

MARKS

Quiz

 

Mid Year examination

 

 

Project presentation

 

Quiz

Identification of 5 projector slides in 10 minutes

 

One-hour written paper composed of short essay type questions –MCQs and case description and discussion

 

 

Writing project on some endemic parasitic diseases provided with illustrations

 

Identification of 5 projector slides in 10 minutes

5

 

25

 

 

5

 

5