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. Lecture / Lessons; 13 hours of lectures / 13 hours of practical seminars/lessons. Of which 80% self-study.

The graduate of the course Environmental Parasitology will be proficient in theoretical and practical skills in the basic scientific methods of research. He/she will be able to creatively apply and develop these methods in experimental and ecological parasitology on various model objects (protozoa, helminths, arthropods). The student will master the basic object of parasitology: the parasite-host relationship by the most advanced methodological procedures at organic, cellular and sub-cellular levels. Gain detailed information on the accurate species diagnosis of parasites according to morphological characteristics. The student will acquire practical skills in the preparation of macro- and micro-preparations.

The main subject of the course Environmental Parasitology is a comprehensive understanding of the parasite-host relationship and the pathogenic effect of the parasite on the host. Part of the curriculum of the course is the knowledge of the body structure of parasites, reproduction, their often very complex developmental cycles associated with host turnover, morphological and physiological adaptations related to the parasitic way of life and, last but not least, the biology of vectors (vectors) of pathogens. Parasitology makes intensive use of the knowledge and methods of genetics, immunology, molecular biology and biochemistry. Furthermore, the subject is oriented towards the principles of diagnosis of parasitic infections, their distribution and treatment. The principles of parasite collection and fixation, as well as the principles of total and partial parasitological dissection of cadavers are taught.

Block lectures:

1. Natural focal point of diseases, zoonoses, routes of transmission of causative agents, epizootology and epidemiology of parasitoses.

2. Characteristics, morphology, life cycles, reproduction and systematics of unicellular parasites.

3. Abiotic factors and their influence on the spread of parasites.

4. Biotic and anthropogenic factors influencing the spread of parasites.

5. Biodiversity of intestinal and blood coccidia.

6. Helminthology - Trematoda, Cestoda, Nematoda.

7. Biodiversity of Lepidoptera and tapeworms.

8. Biodiversity of nematodes.

9. Tissue parasitoses (trichinellosis, filariasis).

10. Arthropoda - general characteristics, ticks, mites, insects.

11. Importance of parasitic arthropods as vectors of pathogens.

12. Preventive measures in parasitozoonoses.

13. Molecular methods in parasitology.

Block practical seminars/exercises:

1. Qualitative and quantitative methods of faecal examination.

2. Collection and processing of slurry, soil samples for the presence of parasites.

3. Collection and processing of wastewater samples for the presence of parasites.

4. Processing of material and investigative methods in the determination of blood parasites.

5. Sampling and processing in the diagnosis of tissue parasites.

6. Processing of samples for PCR - species diagnosis of parasites.

7. ELISA - confirmation of the presence of parasites based on the identification of co-antigens.

8. Diagnosis of selected species of unicellular parasites.

9. Diagnostics of the most important helminths.

10. Diagnostics of ticks and mites.

11. Diagnosis of parasitic insects.

12. Principles of parasitological dissection.

13. Collection, fixation and processing of permanent micro and macro slides.

1. Deplazes, P. et al. Parasitology in Veterinary Medicine. The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publisher, 2016. 653 p. ISBN 978-90-8686-274-0.

2. Kassai T.: Veterinary helminthology. Butterworth-Heinemann 1998, 296 s.

3. Mandal S.C.: Veterinary helminthology. Satish Serial Publishing House 2013, ISBN: 9789385055171

Content prerequisite:

The subject has no defined prerequisites.

Continuous assessment:

Elaboration of the seminar thesis and its presentation in power point form. 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. Lecture / Lessons; 13 hours of lectures / 13 hours of practical seminars/lessons. 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.