Attendance at lectures 80 %. Attendance at seminars/practical lessons 100 %. Elaboration of the seminar thesis and its presentation, oral consultations on the topic - the evaluation of the seminar thesis must be in the scale A-E in accordance with the rules of the Study Regulations of the UVLF in Košice. The form of teaching is full-time present and distance, in the form of block practical seminars/lessons (13 h) and block lectures (13 h). Of which 80 % self-study.

By completing this course, the student will have a detailed overview of parasitic arthropods. The student will gain detailed information, knowledge of accurate species diagnosis and methods of obtaining animal and environmental samples of the most important insect species. Special focus is on the trapping and diagnosis of parasitic dipterans, fleas and bugs, as well as other pest insects. The student will acquire practical skills in the preparation for species diagnosis of parasitic arthropods, and information on the modes of horizontal and vertical spread of infectious agents. By completing the course, the student will have a detailed overview of ticks and mites parasitic on animals and humans, and will gain detailed information and knowledge of accurate species diagnosis and methods of obtaining animal and environmental samples for the most important tick and mite species.

In the field of arachnoentomology, the problems of vector-borne pathogens, the impact of climate change on the occurrence and spread of parasites, and tropical parasitoses have recently been added. Arachnoentomology encompasses two major fields of scientific study and research - acarology and entomology. Acarology is the part that emphasizes the detailed study of the taxonomy of ticks and mites, the detailed study of the biology of the most important ticks and mites, the interaction between the vector (tick) -pathogen and the host in relation to the modes and mechanisms of transmission of the infectious agent from the vector to the host. It studies the circulation of tick-borne pathogens in natural foci. Entomology is the part that emphasizes the detailed study of the classification and phylogenetic evolution of the most important parasitic insects, the detailed study of their biology - evolution, the interaction between the vector (insect) - pathogen and the host in relation to the modes and mechanisms of transmission of the infectious agent from the vector to the host. The study of the properties of the insect immune system. Studies the circulation of insect-borne pathogens in terms of its capacity and competence.

Block lectures:

1. Phylogeny and classification of parasitic arthropods.

2. Importance of ectoparasites for animal and human health.

3. Morphology, anatomy and physiology of parasitic arthropods.

4. Methods of transmission of pathogens, factors influencing this transmission (immune system of arthropods).

5. Interaction between host, pathogen and vector.

6. Capacity and competence of parasitic arthropods.

7. Calculation of the entomological risk index (ERI).

8. Circulation of vector-borne pathogens in natural foci.

9. Ectoparasites on ruminant farms (surveillance, diagnosis, protection).

10. Ectoparasites on equine and pig farms (surveillance, diagnostics, protection).

11. Ectoparasites on poultry farms (surveillance, diagnosis, protection).

12. Ectoparasites of companion and laboratory animals (surveillance, diagnosis, protection).

13. Ectoparasitic drugs, modes of action, applications, uses, principles of control of parasitic and harmful arthropods.

Block seminars/practical lessons:

1. General methods of collecting parasitic ticks and mites.

2. General methods of collecting parasitic two-winged insects - trapping.

3. General methods of collecting parasitic non-flying insects - lice, fleas.

4. Basic procedures for processing and preservation of specimens - ticks and mites; basic differential diagnosis.

5. Basic procedures for processing and preservation of specimens - two-winged insects; basic differential diagnosis.

6. Basic procedures for processing and preservation of lice and flea preparations; basic differential diagnosis.

7. Preparation of micro slides - ticks and mites.

8. Preparation of micro slides - two-winged mites.

9. Preparation of micro slides - lice, fleas.

10. Processing of mite and mite samples - preparation for species PCR diagnostics.

11. Processing of two-winged mite samples - preparation for species PCR diagnostics.

12. Processing of lice and flea samples - preparation for species PCR diagnostics.

13. Methodological procedures for isolation of DNA/RNA - host blood or pathogens in vector samples (pool and individual sampling).

1. Eldridge B.F., Edman J.D.: Medical entomology. Revised Edition, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004,659 s. ISBN: 1-4020-1413-9.

2. Goddard J.: Infectious diseases and arthropods. Second edition, Humana Press, 2088, 251 s. ISBN: 978-1-60327-399-2.

3. Lehane M.J.: The biology of blood-sucking in insects. Second edition, Cambridge, 2005, 321 s. ISBN: 978-0-521-54395-8.

4. Evans G.O.: Principles of Acarology. CAB International, 1992, 565 s. ISBN: 0-8519-8 822-9.

5. Goddard J.: Physician´s Guide to Arthropods of Medical Imporatnce. Fifth Edition, CRC Press, 2007, 457 s. ISBN: 0-8493-8539-3.

Content prerequisite:

The subject has no defined prerequisites.

Continuous assessment:

Elaboration of the seminar thesis and its presentation. Evaluation in scale A-E.

Conditions for completion of course:

Attendance at lectures 80 %. Attendance at seminars/practical lessons 100 %. Elaboration of the seminar thesis and its presentation, oral consultations on the topic - the evaluation of the seminar thesis must be in the scale A-E in accordance with the rules of the Study Regulations of the UVLF in Košice. The form of teaching is full-time present and distance, in the form of block practical seminars/lessons (13 h) and block lectures (13 h). Of which 80 % self-study.

Final assessment:

At the end of the semester, credit is awarded on the basis of the submission and successful defence of the seminary thesis, according to the Study Regulations of the UVLF in Košice.