Immunoparasitology - W 1400-225IMMP-W-en

Lecture plan:
1. Interactions between parasite and host at the molecular, cellular, physiological, and population levels. Basic definitions used in immunology and parasitology.
2. Specificity of the immune response to developmental stages of parasites in intermediate and definitive hosts.
3. Parasitic protozoa and helminths – immune response induced during infection.
4. Epidemiology and immunobiology of invasions transmitted by arthropods.
5. Biology and immunology of infections caused by Plasmodium, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania.
6. Parasitic amoebae: mechanism of infection, immune response, and pathogenesis.
7. Infection with Platyhelmintes (Schistosoma sp., Fasciola hepatica) – experimental and clinical observations, epidemiology.
8. Filariasis: immunoregulation and parasitic tolerance.
9. Infection with nematodes and immediate-type hypersensitivity.
10. Immune response in geohelminth infection: parasite elimination, acquired immunity, pathogenesis, and suppression of allergic reactions.
11. Molecular strategies of parasites to evade the immune system.
12. Anti-parasitic vaccines – challenges and prospects.
13. Immunogenicity, adaptation, and life cycles of parasites at the population level.

Main fields of studies for MISMaP

psychology
biology
biotechnology

Type of course

obligatory courses
optional courses
elective monographs

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

The lecture presents an overview of the parasite–host relationship during immune responses induced by protozoan and helminth infections. It will demonstrate the specificity of host defense reactions against different developmental stages of parasites in both intermediate and definitive hosts. The interactions between parasites and their hosts will be discussed at the molecular, cellular, physiological, and population levels. Topics covered include: the role of immunogenicity in adaptation and completion of the parasite life cycle, molecular and immunological evasion by parasites, modulation of the host’s immune response, immune response in successive phases of invasion, adaptation and innate immunity, chronic invasion and suppression of immune response, parasite elimination and acquired immunity, pathogenesis, antiparasitic vaccines, and epidemiology of parasitic invasions and the immunobiology of arthropod-borne infections.

Course coordinators

Katarzyna Goździk
Anna Zawistowska-Deniziak

Learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE:
The student knows and understands interactions within the parasite–host system and is able to interpret phenomena at the molecular, individual, and population levels. (S1_W01, S1_W02, S1_U01)
The student knows and understands basic concepts and terminology in the fields of parasitology, immunology, and epidemiology. (S1_U02)
The student knows and understands the principles of operation of laboratory instruments and the methodology used to study immune responses in the parasite–host system. (S1_W04)
The student knows and understands procedures and principles of action in situations of epidemiological threat caused by parasites. (S1_W02, S1_K01)
SKILLS:
The student is able to select appropriate sources of scientific information, critically evaluate and interpret data in the field of immunoparasitology, and communicate or popularize scientific knowledge. (S1_W05, S1_K01, S1_K02)
The student is able to design and conduct research on immunological parameters in hosts under laboratory conditions, supervising the work of a research team. (S1_W03, S1_U03)
The student is able to prepare a research protocol based on experimental data and interpret obtained results. (S1_W02, S1_U01)
SOCIAL COMPETENCE:
The student is ready to act responsibly in situations involving epidemiological risk caused by parasites. (S1_W02, S1_K01)
The student is ready to undertake initiatives that raise public awareness of the importance of epidemiological and parasitological research. (S1_K03, S1_K04)

Assessment criteria

Written exam in the form of a test.
The exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible answers. Only one answer is correct and should be selected.

Bibliography

Books:
1. Immunology: A Short Course, 8th Edition, Richard Coico, ISBN: 978-1-119-55143-0, 2021, Wiley-Blackwell
2. Immunobiology: the immune system in health and disease Charles A. Janeway, 2017, Garland Sciences, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3. Parasitism: The diversity and ecology of animal parasites. Albert O. Bush, et. al, 2013, Cambridge University Press.
4. Parasitic nematodes: molecular biology, biochemistry and immunology. 2nd Edition, M. W. Kennedy and William Harnett. 2013, CABI Digital Library
5. Parasitic flatworms: molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology and physiology. Ed. by A.G.Maule and N.J. Marks.
Journals:
Trends in Immunology, Cell Press Journal, open access.
Trends in Parasitology , Cell Press Journal, open access.
Parasite Immunology, Wiley Online Library, open access

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 1400-225IMMP-W-en in USOSweb