ZOO 821

ZOO 821: PARASITIC PROTOZOA

Course Description

This course introduces the taxonomy, biology, pathogenicity, diagnosis, prevention, and control of parasitic protozoa of medical and veterinary importance. Emphasis is placed on the major groups of protozoan parasites affecting humans and domesticated animals, with attention to their morphology, life cycles, host–parasite interactions, clinical manifestations, and epidemiological significance.

Course Content

1. Classification and General Characteristics of Parasitic Protozoa

  • Principles of protozoan classification
  • Morphology, reproduction, and life cycles
  • Major groups of parasitic protozoa:
    • Sarcodina (Amoebae): Entamoeba spp.
    • Mastigophora (Flagellates): Giardia spp., Leishmania spp.
    • Ciliophora (Ciliates): Balantidium spp.
    • Sporozoa/Apicomplexa: Plasmodium spp., Cryptosporidium spp.

2. Intestinal Protozoa

  • Amoebiasis
  • Giardiasis
  • Balantidiasis
  • Cryptosporidiosis
  • Pathogenesis, pathology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control

3. Blood and Tissue Protozoa

  • Haemoflagellates: Leishmania, Trypanosoma
  • Haemosporozoa: Plasmodium and related parasites
  • Transmission, vector relationships, pathogenesis, pathology, symptomatology, laboratory diagnosis, prevention, and control

 

4. Protozoa of Domestic Animals of Zoonotic Importance

This section covers protozoan parasites of domestic and companion animals that act as reservoirs or sources of human infection, including Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Leishmania spp., Balantidium coli, and Sarcocystis spp. in dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, rabbits, and rodents.

Emphasis on their zoonotic and public health significance, with focus on diagnostic approaches, epidemiology, prevention and control strategies, and integrated One Health interventions.

 

6. Protozoan Diseases of Major Medical and Veterinary Importance

Selected case studies of significant zoonotic and economically important protozoan diseases, including:

  • Malaria
  • Leishmaniasis
  • Giardiasis
  • Cryptosporidiosis
  • Trypanosomiasis
  • Coccidiosis
  • Toxoplasmosis

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Classify the major groups of medically and veterinary important parasitic protozoa.
  2. Describe the morphology, taxonomy, and life cycles of significant protozoan parasites.
  3. Interpret the pathogenesis, pathology, and clinical manifestations associated with protozoan infections in humans and animals.
  4. Select and apply appropriate laboratory and field diagnostic techniques for the detection and identification of protozoan diseases.
  5. Assess evidence-based prevention, treatment, and control measures for protozoan infections of public health and veterinary importance.
  6. Differentiate protozoan infections affecting various organ systems and host species, including their epidemiological patterns and transmission dynamics.
  7. Analyse the zoonotic protozoa of domestic and companion animals and propose integrated One Health interventions to reduce animal-to-human transmission and associated public health risks.

Mode of Delivery

The course will be delivered through:

  • Online lectures
  • Recorded video presentations
  • Guided readings
  • Discussion forums
  • Virtual practical demonstrations
  • Case-based learning activities
  • Online quizzes and assignments

Assessment

Assessment may include:

  • Continuous online quizzes
  • Discussion forum participation
  • Individual assignments
  • Case study analyses
  • Mid-semester assessment
  • End-of-semester online examination

 

Recommended Learning Resources

1.      Bowman, D. D. (2024). Georgis’ parasitology for veterinarians (12th ed.). Elsevier.

2.      Cox, F. E. G., & Wakelin, D. (2024). Topley & Wilson’s microbiology and microbial infections: Parasitology (11th ed.). Wiley.

3.      Garcia, L. S. (2016). Diagnostic medical parasitology (6th ed.). ASM Press.

4.      Levine, N. D. (1985). Veterinary protozoology (Vol. 1). Iowa State University Press.

5.      Mehlhorn, H. (2023). Encyclopedic reference of parasitology (5th ed., Vols. 1–3). Springer.

6.      Roberts, L. S., Janovy, J., & Nadler, S. A. (2024). Foundations of parasitology (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

7.      Soulsby, E. J. L. (1982). Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals (7th ed.). Baillière Tindall.

8.      Taylor, M. A., Coop, R. L., & Wall, R. L. (2023). Veterinary parasitology (5th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

9.      Weller, P. F., & Nutman, T. B. (2023). Parasitic infections in humans: Advances in diagnosis and treatment. Springer.

10.  World Health Organization. (2023). WHO guidelines on control and management of parasitic and zoonotic protozoan diseases. WHO.

11.  World Organisation for Animal Health. (2025). Terrestrial animal health code: Protozoan diseases. WOAH.

12.  Zajac, A. M., & Conboy, G. A. (2022). Veterinary clinical parasitology (9th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.