Parasitology and Toxicology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the concepts relating to veterinary parasitology and toxicology, therefore knowledge about parasites, their ways of transmission and laboratory diagnosis of parasitic diseases. The course will also provide the knowledge to evaluate and implement biosecurity plans for parasitic diseases. At the same time, the course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge of toxicology and general pharmacology, with particular focus on substances potentially toxic to domestic animals and on the main classes of drugs used in veterinary medicine.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge relating to the control of parasitic diseases of companion animals and will be able to monitor them by applying adequate laboratory techniques. Furthermore, the student will have acquired preparatory knowledge of biosecurity for the prevention and health management of parasitic diseases. By the end of the course, the student will have acquired basic knowledge of toxicology and general pharmacology, with particular attention to substances potentially harmful to domestic animals and to the main classes of drugs used in veterinary medicine. They will be able to recognize health risks related to exposure to toxic substances or improper drug use, and clearly describe the main related issues.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prerequisites are required.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam with open questions (n. 5) for the toxicology and elements of pharmacology module in order to ascertain the acquisition and understanding of the module contents.
Written exam with multiple choice closed-ended questions (n.48) for the parasitology, biosecurity and diagnostics of parasitic diseases module in order to ascertain the acquisition and understanding of the module contents. The exam covers the entire course program and consists of 48 multiple choice questions; each correct answer to the multiple choice questions corresponds to 1 point, while no negative points are assigned for incorrect answers.
The exam takes place jointly for both modules and the vote is unique and expressed out of thirty. The results of the exam are communicated via the University reporting system.
There are no differentiated verification methods between attending and non-attending students.
Written exam with multiple choice closed-ended questions (n.48) for the parasitology, biosecurity and diagnostics of parasitic diseases module in order to ascertain the acquisition and understanding of the module contents. The exam covers the entire course program and consists of 48 multiple choice questions; each correct answer to the multiple choice questions corresponds to 1 point, while no negative points are assigned for incorrect answers.
The exam takes place jointly for both modules and the vote is unique and expressed out of thirty. The results of the exam are communicated via the University reporting system.
There are no differentiated verification methods between attending and non-attending students.
Parasitology, biosecurity and diagnostics of parasitic diseases
Course syllabus
Frontal teaching:
General aspects of the host-parasite-environment interaction (8 hours)
Main parasitic diseases of companion animals: aetiology, life cycle, epidemiology, effects on welfare (16 hours)
Control and prevention measures and biosecurity for parasites of greatest interest in pets (8 hours)
Main parasitic zoonoses in pets: aetiology, life cycle, epidemiology, prophylaxis (8 hours)
Exercise teaching and seminars:
Morphology and recognition of parasites (endo and ecto) agents of parasitic diseases of pets, including fungal aetiology (8 hours)
Practical application of the main techniques for the diagnosis and monitoring of parasitic diseases, including fungal diseases (8 hours)
General aspects of the host-parasite-environment interaction (8 hours)
Main parasitic diseases of companion animals: aetiology, life cycle, epidemiology, effects on welfare (16 hours)
Control and prevention measures and biosecurity for parasites of greatest interest in pets (8 hours)
Main parasitic zoonoses in pets: aetiology, life cycle, epidemiology, prophylaxis (8 hours)
Exercise teaching and seminars:
Morphology and recognition of parasites (endo and ecto) agents of parasitic diseases of pets, including fungal aetiology (8 hours)
Practical application of the main techniques for the diagnosis and monitoring of parasitic diseases, including fungal diseases (8 hours)
Teaching methods
Lectures in the classroom, laboratory exercises and seminars
Teaching Resources
Slides provided by teachers.
TAYLOR M.A., ROBERT L. COOP R.L., RICHARD L. WALL R.L. Parassitologia e malattie parassitarie degli animali. Edra 2010.
PIERGIGLI FIORETTI D., MORETTI A. Parassitologia e malattie parassitarie in medicina veterinaria. Bononia University Press, 2020.
DE CARNERI. Parassitologia generale e umana. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2023
TAYLOR M.A., ROBERT L. COOP R.L., RICHARD L. WALL R.L. Parassitologia e malattie parassitarie degli animali. Edra 2010.
PIERGIGLI FIORETTI D., MORETTI A. Parassitologia e malattie parassitarie in medicina veterinaria. Bononia University Press, 2020.
DE CARNERI. Parassitologia generale e umana. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2023
Elements of toxicology and pharmacology
Course syllabus
Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology (2 hours)
Definitions and doses in pharmacology and toxicology (2 hours)
Pharmaco-Toxicokinetic: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (6 hours)
Pharmaco-Toxicokinetic: modelling (2 h)
Pharmaco-Toxicodynamic: mechanisms of action and receptors (2 hours)
Toxicity study: Acute, subacute and chronic Toxicity (3 hours)
Particular toxicities: mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, teratogenesis, effects on reproduction (3 hours)
Antimicrobials and their mechanism of action (3 ore)
Non steriodal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (3 ore)
Antiparasitic drugs and their mechanism of action (2 ore)
Rodenticides, insecticides, avicides, herbicides, molluscicides and fungicides, drugs for human or veterinary use and drugs of abuse, possible sources of malicious or accidental toxicity (18 hours)
Toxic plants with a focus on houseplants (2 hours)
Zootoxins and mycotoxins (4 hours)
Food poisoning (2 hours)
Eco-toxicity (2 hours)
For each class, the most important substances are considered and their sources, mechanism of action, kinetics, effects, signs, diagnosis, management and prognosis are described.
Definitions and doses in pharmacology and toxicology (2 hours)
Pharmaco-Toxicokinetic: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (6 hours)
Pharmaco-Toxicokinetic: modelling (2 h)
Pharmaco-Toxicodynamic: mechanisms of action and receptors (2 hours)
Toxicity study: Acute, subacute and chronic Toxicity (3 hours)
Particular toxicities: mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, teratogenesis, effects on reproduction (3 hours)
Antimicrobials and their mechanism of action (3 ore)
Non steriodal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (3 ore)
Antiparasitic drugs and their mechanism of action (2 ore)
Rodenticides, insecticides, avicides, herbicides, molluscicides and fungicides, drugs for human or veterinary use and drugs of abuse, possible sources of malicious or accidental toxicity (18 hours)
Toxic plants with a focus on houseplants (2 hours)
Zootoxins and mycotoxins (4 hours)
Food poisoning (2 hours)
Eco-toxicity (2 hours)
For each class, the most important substances are considered and their sources, mechanism of action, kinetics, effects, signs, diagnosis, management and prognosis are described.
Teaching methods
Lectures in the classroom
Teaching Resources
INTORRE, MEUCCI, Tossicologia Veterinaria, Idelson-Gnocchi 2022
BELLOLI, CARLI, ORMAS Farmacologia veterinaria (2021), Idelson-Gnocchi 2021
G.D. OSWEILER: Toxicology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 1996
GUPTA R.C. Veterinary toxicology 3rd Ed- edited by Elsevier Academic press, 2018.
POPPENGA R.H, GWALTNEY-BRANT S. Small Animal Toxicology Essentials, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011
Slides provided by teachers.
BELLOLI, CARLI, ORMAS Farmacologia veterinaria (2021), Idelson-Gnocchi 2021
G.D. OSWEILER: Toxicology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 1996
GUPTA R.C. Veterinary toxicology 3rd Ed- edited by Elsevier Academic press, 2018.
POPPENGA R.H, GWALTNEY-BRANT S. Small Animal Toxicology Essentials, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011
Slides provided by teachers.
Modules or teaching units
Elements of toxicology and pharmacology
VET/07 - VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY - University credits: 7
Lessons: 56 hours
Professors:
Arioli Francesco, Di Cesare Federica
Parasitology, biosecurity and diagnostics of parasitic diseases
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Shifts:
1 turno per gruppi di studenti da 12 ore
Professor:
Gazzonis Alessia Libera2 turno per gruppi di studenti da 12 ore
Professor:
Gazzonis Alessia Libera3 turn0 per gruppi di studenti da 4 ore
Professor:
Villa Luca4 turno per gruppi di studenti da 4 ore
Professor:
Villa LucaProfessor(s)
Reception:
on demand via mail or whatsapp
Room 2111