Immunity to Eukaryotic Parasites (U00713)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : BIO-4-IMiep

Parasitic protozoa and helminths have complex life cycles, comprising a number of developmental stages within and also outside the mammalian host. This unit will highlight the differences and the similarities of immune mechanisms that are activated to cope with this diverse group of pathogens ranging from unicellular protozoa to multicelluar metazoan parasites (helminths). Infections by such parasites are frequently recurrent and/or chronic, and many are characterised by highly polarised immune responses. These immune responses can be beneficial or harmful to the host, and we will examine the immune mechanisms that mediate protection and the immune pathways that lead to pathology. Strong emphasis will be placed on the role of cytokines in regulating the balance between anti-parasite immunity and pathogenesis. There will be five two-hour lectures starting with an overview of cytokine regulation, followed by lectures on immune responses to protozoan parasites and metazoan parasites. Lecture topics will include 1) a comparison of immune mechanisms controlling intracellular and extracellular protozoan parasites, 2) a session on the requirement for balanced immunity in the control of infection with pathogenic protozoa 3) the distinct immune pathways activated by gastrointestinal helminths which infect over a quarter of the worlds population and 4) the astounding ability of tissue-dwelling helminths such as filaria and schistosomes to manipulate the mammalian immune response in order to establish long-lived chronic infection. The lecture sessions will be interspersed with five two hour sessions in which student working groups will address and discuss original papers relevant to the previous lecture. The relationship of parasitic disease to other immunological diseases such as allergy and asthma will be discussed during these sessions.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Immunology 3m; At least one other appropriate third year course; Medical Microbiology 3m and Molecular Cell Biology are recommended

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Immunology, (School of Biological Sciences, Schedule K)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) 45 minutes per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
29/09/2006	09:30	12:30	Room 1.0115, Ashworth Labs	KB	Honours Room 1

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Friday	09:00	13:00	KB

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Basic understanding of the current field of Immunoparasitology. Advanced skills in reading and understanding the primary literature. Development of Scientific problem solving skills. Oral presentation skills.