Curricular Unit:Code:
Clinical Parasitology908PARC
Year:Level:Course:Credits:
1MasterClinical Microbiology6 ects
Learning Period:Language of Instruction:Total Hours:
Portuguese78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
Acquisition and/or improvement of competences that allow the recognition of general aspects of infectious diseases caused parasites in human, their dissemination mode, epidemiology, diagnosis control, prophylaxis, and treatment.
Syllabus:
I- General concepts in infectious diseases of parasitic origin
II- Study of the main parasites causing human infections (pathogenic and morphological characteristics associated with the life cycle; symptoms and epidemiology; diagnosis, control, prophylaxis and treatment):
1. Helminths
1.1. Platyhelminths
Fasciola sp and other extravascular trematodes
Shistosoma sp
Taenia sp
Echinococcus sp
Dipylidium sp, Diphyllobothrium sp
Hymenolepis sp
1.2. Nematodes
Ascaris sp
Ancylostoma sp
Necator sp
Strongyloides sp
Trichuris sp
Enterobius sp
Trichinella sp
Filariidae
2. Protozoa
Reference to the means of locomotion
2.1. Intestinal protozoa
Entamoeba sp and free-living amebae
Giardia sp
Cryptosporidium sp
Balantidium sp, Cystoisospora sp, Sarcocystis sp, Cyclospora sp
2.2. Urogenital protozoa
Trichomonas sp
2.3. Blood and tissue protozoa
Trypanossoma sp
Leishmania sp
Toxoplasma sp
Plasmodium sp
3. Arthropods
Cimex sp
Sarcoptes sp
Xenopsylla sp, Pulex sp
Pediculus sp, Phtirus sp
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The syllabus, centered in an advanced scientific curricula, is fully consistent with the learning objectives of the course, as they allow a wide acquisition, integration and application, in a gradual and oriented way, of the diverse fundamental and specific concepts, knowledge and methodologies in Clinical Parasitology. The workload of each of the syllabus content is also appropriated for the acquisition of knowledge and competences by the student. Therefore, the student should be able to achieve the intended learning outcomes.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Pedagogic execution: presentation of the relevant theoretical concepts in the classroom, practical application of some concepts, orientation of student’s self-study by analysis of recommended bibliography. Debate on pertinent issues related to the syllabus contents exposed in the classroom.
Continuous assessment [including: i) two written assessment tests and ii) individual work of the student, as resolution of real clinical cases and deepening of scientific knowledge through literature search].
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The teaching methodologies (theoretical exposition, debate, practical application of concepts, and orientation of self-study) are fully consistent with the learning objectives of the course, as they allow a gradual acquisition, critical reflection, integration and application of the scientific knowledge. The workload of each of the syllabus content is also appropriated for the fulfillment of the learning outcomes. The analysis and resolution of real clinical cases strengthens the knowledge acquired on specific topics, promote the reflection and the critical thinking, and reinforces the acquisition of competences. The constant interaction between the teacher and the student in the classroom and in individual tutorial sessions (in which the student will individually have the teacher’s support to fill in gaps or change study strategy) will allow to adequate the student to acquire the objectives. The assessment tests will be used to evaluate the individual scientific knowledge and competences, allowing the confirmation of the learning outcomes fulfillment. The analysis of clinical cases, the deepening of scientific knowledge through literature search, and the application of acquired knowledge to known situations will contribute to stimulate scientific curiosity, to enhance the student autonomy regarding the bibliographic search and reference management, and to improve scientific communication skills.
Reading:
(1) Jorgensen, J. H., Pfaller, M. A., Carroll, K. C., Funke, G., Landry, M. L., Richter, S. S., Warnock, D. W. Manual of Clinical Microbiology - Volume 2. (11th edition). ASM Press, 2015.
(2) Barroso, H., Meliço-Silvestre, A., Taveira, N. Microbiologia Médica - Volume 2. Lidel, 2014.
(3) Neves, D. P. Parasitologia Humana. Atheneu, 2012.
(4) Ferreira, M. U. Parasitologia Contemporânea. Guanabara Koogan, 2012.
(5) Artigos científicos recomendados para cada tema.