Opportunistic Parasites in the Context of HIV/AIDS Infection

Objectives

After this unit, students should be able to:
1. Select the technologies of diagnosis/dating of opportunistic human parasitic infections-OP- (cryptosporidiosis, microsporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, pneumocystosis), to be applied in each situation/diseases and also to perform the most utilized techniques.
2. Apply molecular methods to the study of the epidemiology of OP: a) detection and differentiation of species/genotypes/subgenotypes of OP; b) identification of sources of contamination in waterborne/foodborne diseases outbreaks; c) characterization of the transmission dynamics of infections in endemic areas; d) determination of importance to public health from the presence of opportunistic parasites in drinking public water; e) comparison of pathogenicity/characteristics of the infection due to species/genotypes of OP.
3. Run the molecular biology techniques commonly used in the study/characterization of the human opportunistic parasites.
4. Apply the control/prevention measures of OP.

General characterization

Code

1290030

Credits

2

Responsible teacher

Olga Matos

Hours

Weekly - Se a UC for oferecida como opcional, o horário será disponibilizado no 2º semestre

Total - 33

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Not applicable

Bibliography

• Garcia L. S. (2007). Diagnostic Medical Parasitology, 5ª edição. ASM Press. Washington, DC, USA.
• Xiao L, Fayer R, Ryan U,Upton ST. Cryptosporidium Taxonomy: Recent Advances and Implications for Public Health. Clin Microbiol Rev, 2004, 17: 72–97.
• Cecile-Marie Aliouat-Denis, Magali Chabe´, Christine Demanche, El Moukhtar Aliouat,Eric Viscogliosi, Jacques Guillot, Laurence Delhaes, Eduardo DeiCas. Pneumocystis species, coevolution and pathogenic power. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 2008, 8: 708–726.
• Sibley LD, Khan A, Ajioka JW, Rosenthal BM. Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in animals and humans. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2009; 364(1530):274961. Review.

Teaching method

Theoretical practical lessons, practical sessions, seminar.

Evaluation method

Continuous assessment to determine the progress of learning, on the objectives we are trying to achieve. As such, parameters such as attendance, attitude dynamics and the various participatory activities (eg, the presentation of topics at the seminar), availability, curiosity, knowledge integration and relationships with colleagues will be taken into account. Students should make a group work on a topic to be presented orally, using the PowerPoint software program, during the seminar. Classification will be assigned on a scale of 0-20 values, based on continuous assessment (5 points) and a written exam consisting of 15 quick-response questions, with 5 points in each question, in which only one question will be correct. Approval with classification ≥10 values.

Subject matter

I. Opportunistic parasitic infections in the context of HIV/AIDS infection pathogenesis, clinical and treatment.
II. Laboratory diagnosis of opportunistic parasitic infections (implementing the techniques used).
III. Molecular epidemiology of the major opportunistic parasites (execution of the techniques used).
IV. Role of enzymes / resident chaperones in the endoplasmic reticulum in the infectious agent-host interaction.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: