MLAB 1231 - Parasitology/Mycology

MLAB 1231:

Description
A study of the taxonomy, morphology and pathogenesis of human parasites and fungi, including the practical application of laboratory procedures, quality control, quality assurance and safety.
Semester Offered
Spring Only
Credits 2 Lecture Hours 1 Lab Hours 4
Extended Hours
0
Contact Hours
80
State Approval Code
5110040000
Alternate Operations During Campus Closure

In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.

Class Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.

Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date. 

When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences: 

Fall or spring semesters: 

3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences

2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences

1 class meeting per week -  2 absences

The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.

Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.  

Pregnant/Parenting Policy

Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Course Policy

Broader use of Generative AI permitted within the course.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including ChatGPT, is permitted in this course for students who wish to use it. Students must cite AI-generated material that informs their work. Using an AI tool to generate content without proper attribution qualifies as academic dishonesty.

Instructional Goals and Purposes

The purpose of this course is to introduce parasitology and mycology to the student. The student will learn to identify and classify fungi and parasites, as well as correlate their presence with disease states.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Apply principles of safety, quality assurance, and quality control.
  2. Evaluate specimen acceptability.
  3. Describe basic morphology and physiology of parasites and fungi.
  4. Classify parasites and fungi.
  5. Perform appropriate laboratory techniques used in the processing of specimens and identification of parasites and fungi.
  6. Evaluate and correlate test results with patient condition(s).
Specific Course Objectives (includes SCANS)

After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:

(Lab objectives are listed in italics.)

  1. Chapter 1 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Define parasite, obligatory parasite, vector, commensalism, symbiosis, infective stage have diagnostic stage, host, life cycle.
    2. List the body areas that may be affected by parasites.
    3. Describe the most common symptom of a parasitic infection.
    4. Identify the three groups of clinically significant parasites
  2. Chapter 2 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Explain the role of patient information in the diagnosis of malaria.
    2. Identify the specimen used and the procedures included in an O&P.
    3. Describe the procedures used in the microscopic examination of stool.
    4. Discuss the purpose of a wet prep examination.
    5. Describe the cellophane tape preparation and the organism it is used to detect.
  3. Chapter 3 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Identify and describe the characteristic structures of the trophozoite form of Entamoeba histolytica.
    2. Identify the associated symptoms, diseases, route of transmission, and specimen of choice for Naegleria fowleri.
    3. Identify the associated symptoms, diseases, route of transmission, and specimen of choice for Acanthamoeba sp.
    4. Describe the differentiating characteristic(s) of Iodamoeba butschlii.
    5. Explain the feature that differentiates amebas from other unicellular protozoa.
    6. Compare and contrast trophozoites and cysts.
    7. Describe the common ways humans acquire amebic infections.
    8. Differentiate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic amebas.
    9. Identify internal features of amebic cysts on a slide: cell wall, nucleus, chromatid bars, ingested red cells, and glycogen mass.
  4. Chapter 4 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Determine the specimen of choice and alternative specimen types as well as appropriate diagnostic technique for the recovery of Trichomonas vaginalis.
    2. List the disease states and symptoms associated with Giardia intestinalis (lambia).
    3. Discuss the lifecycle of flagellates (in general).
    4. List the flagellate(s) associated with crowded living conditions, poor sanitation, and poor personal hygiene.
    5. Describe the general features of flagellates.
  5. Chapter 5 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. List the diagnostic form Leishmania sp and Trypanosoma sp.
    2. Describe the appearance of hemoflagellates on blood smears.
    3. Differentiate between amastigotes, promastigotes, epimastigotes, and trypomastigotes.
    4. Identify the specimen of choice for the isolation of hemoflagellates.
  6. Chapter 6 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Explain the role of patient information in the diagnosis of malaria.
    2. Describe the similarities between Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale.
    3. List the disease states and symptoms associated with Plasmodium falciparium.
    4. Describe the various vectors for the transmission of malaria.
    5. Identify the vector of transmission for Babesia.
    6. Identify the ring forms of Plasmodium.
  7. Chapter 7 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Discuss the vector of transmission for toxoplasma.
    2. Name the specimen of choice for identifying Blastocystis sp.
    3. Discuss the distinctive feature (and motility) of the Blantidum coli trophozoite and cyst form.
    4. Discuss the symptoms of Toxoplasmosis and the groups at high risk.
  8. Chapter 8 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Describe the mechanism of human infection of the following: pinworms, round worms have hookworms, and whipworms.
    2. Describe the characteristic shape of adult nematodes.
    3. Describe the lifecycle and specimen used for diagnosis of the Trichina worms and Guinea worms.
    4. Give the Genus and species for each of the following: Pinworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, Guinea worm.
  9. Chapter 9 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Define nocturnal, subperiodic, and diurnal periodicity.
    2. Compare and contract Calabar swellings and elephantiasis.
    3. Describe how filarial disease is diagnosed in the laboratory.
  10. Chapter 10 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Describe how humans are infected by Taenia saginata and Taenia solium.
    2. Describe the common physical characteristic shared by Cestoda.
    3. Define the common geographic locations of Cestodes.
  11. Chapter 11 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Describe the physical characteristics of Fasciolopsis buski.
    2. Explain common problems/infections caused by Fasciola hepatica.
    3. Explain the reason Clonorchis has become endemic in China.
  12. Chapter 12 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. List parasites that are commonly mistaken for white blood cells due to their size and shape.
    2. Explain the similarities and differences between vegetable spirals and helminth larvae.
  13. Chapter 13 (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Define arthropod and list their characteristics.
    2. Name the organism that causes scabies.
    3. Define the infection that may be caused by the brown recluse spider.
    4. Describe how to defend yourself against malaria-carrying arthropods in endemic areas.
    5. Describe how cockroaches may affect the health of humans.
  14. Mycology (1a-i, ii, iv, v. 1b-ii, iii, iv, v, vi. 1c-i, ii, iv, v. 2a-i, iii. 2c-i, ii, iii, iv.)
    1. Discuss the characteristics of the fungi.
    2. Correctly identify and describe the following:
      1. Hyphae
      2. Mycelium
      3. Septate hyphae
      4. Aseptate hyphae
    3. Discuss stains used for fungus: Cellufor, Lactophenol blue, gram stain, india ink,etc
    4. Describe and recognize the following types of asexual reproductive structures (pg. 399 chart):
      1. Blastoconidia
      2. Chlamydoconidia
      3. Arthroconidia
      4. Sporangiospores
    5. Describe and recognize the following types of sexual reproductive structures:
      1. Ascospores
      2. Basidiospores
      3. Zygospores
    6. Describe typical colonial textures and topographies.
    7. List and describe four general considerations for proper fungal specimen collection.
    8. Justify the importance of the direct examination of clinical specimens of fungi.
    9. State the purpose and describe the process of each:
      1. Saline Wet Mount
      2. Lactophenol cotton blue
      3. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation
    10. List three types of primary fungal isolation media and state the purpose of each.
    11. Identify the following dermatophytes that cause superficial mycoses from prepared slides or pictures (pg 410-411 chart):
      1. Microsporum gypseum
      2. Microsporum canis
      3. Microsporum audouinii
      4. Trichophyton mentagrophytes
      5. Trichophyton rubrum
      6. Trichophyton tonsurans
      7. Epidermophyton floccosum
    12. Describe the different types of tineas and the organisms associated with each.
    13. Describe the clinical significance and identify yeast and budding yeast from slides or pictures.
    14. Discuss the clinical significance and identify from pictures or slides these fungi that cause subcutaneous mycoses:
      1. Cladosporium carrionii
      2. Fonsecaea pedrosoi
      3. Phialophora verrucose
      4. Sporothrix schenckii
    15. Discuss the clinical significance and identify from pictures or slides the fungi that cause systemic mycoses:
      1. Blastomyces dermatitidis
      2. Coccidioides immitis
      3. Histoplasma capsulatum
      4. Penicillium marneffie
    16. Discuss the significance and identify the opportunistic fungi from prepared slides or pictures:
      1. Rhizopus
      2. Asbidia
      3. Mucor
      4. Aspergillus
      5. Penicillium
    17. Define the following: Superficial, Subcutaneous, systemic, rhizoids
  15. Lab #1 Objectives (1a-i,ii,iii,iv,v. 1b-ii,iii,iv,v,vi. 1c-i,ii,iv,v. 2a-iii. 2c-i,ii,iii,iv)
    1. Define parasite.
    2. Describe the appearance of Trichomonas vaginalis.
    3. Name the definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii.
    4. Describe how Trichomonas vaginalis is transmitted.
    5. Name the causative agent of "Montezuma's revenge."
    6. Define the trophozoite stage of sporozoan parasites.
    7. Describe the transmittance of Plasmodium (malaria) including the vector.
    8. Describe the appearance of Giardia lambia.
    9. Describe the appearance of the four different forms of Hemoflagellates (Promastigote have Epimatigote, Trypomastigote, and Amastigote).
  16. Lab #2 Objectives (1a-i,ii,iii,iv,v. 1b-ii,iii,iv,v,vi. 1c-i,ii,iv,v. 2a-iii. 2c-i,ii,iii,iv)
    1. Identify eggs of worms that have a "spine."
    2. Identify the egg form of Enterobius vermicularis (pin worms).
    3. Describe the infection cycle of Enterobius vermicularis.
    4. Identify the simple test used to detect pin worms.
    5. Describe the appearance of Sarcoptes Scabiei (itch mites/scabies).
    6. Name the "artifact" commonly mistaken for Taenia eggs in stool.
    7. Name and define the three distinct features common to all adult tapeworms.
    8. Name and describe the appearance of Nematoda worms in their juvenile state.
    9. Name the transparent covering on some filariae.
    10. Describe common symptoms of Ascaris lumbicoides infection.
    11. Describe the characteristics of filariae.
  17. Lab #3 (Mycology) Objectives (1a-i,ii,iii,iv,v. 1b-ii,iii,iv,v,vi. 1c-i,ii,iv,v. 2a-iii. 2c-i,ii,iii,iv)
    1. Name the stain commonly used to identify fungi.
    2. Describe the appearance and significance of budding yeast.
    3. Identify and/or differentiate Aspergillus, Pennicillium, and Rhizopus on a slide.
    4. Name the benefits of doing a direct mount for fungus in the clinical laboratory.
    5. Identify the reason for using KOH on skin specimens for fungi.
    6. Define "opportunistic pathogen."
    7. Define "pseudohyphae."
    8. Differentiate between yeast and mold (fungi).
Course Content

A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Objectives / Specific Course Objectives sections of this syllabus.

Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery

This is a mainly online course so it will require a lot of outside proactive work by the student. The instructor will provide guidance as needed.

The student will be evaluated by assignments, quizzes, cases, and exams as assigned by the instructor outside of the classroom.

The student will be required to complete proctored examinations. This may require the student to come to a Panola College testing Center or take the exam online with a proctoring program as directed in the course by the instructor.

Laboratories will take place on three pre-determined Saturdays during the semester and will be mandatory. During the laboratories the students will be evaluated by case studies, in-lab assignments have and lab practicals as assigned by the instructor.

Course Grade

The grading scale for this course is as follows:

Lecture Grade = 2/3 of grade

  • Major Exams 40%
  • Quizzes 20%
  • Homework Assignments 20%
  • Final Exam 20%
  •  
  • Laboratory= 1/3 of grade
  • Pre-Lab Quizzes 10%
  • Case Assignments 20%
  • In-Lab Assignments 30%
  • Practicals 40%

Late assignments may be given a 15% late penalty.

Texts Materials, and Supplies
Clinical Parasitology: A Practical Approach 2nd Ed Required 9781416060444 Zeibig, Elizabeth Elsevier
Intro to Diagnostic Microbiology for Lab Science 2nd Ed Required 9781284199734 Delost, Maria Jones & Bartlett
Other
SCANS Criteria
  1. Foundation skills are defined in three areas: basic skills, thinking skills, and personal qualities.
    1. Basic Skills: A worker must read, write, perform arithmetic and mathematical operations, listen, and speak effectively. These skills include:
      1. Reading: locate, understand, and interpret written information in prose and in documents such as manuals, graphs, and schedules.
      2. Writing: communicate thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing, and create documents such as letters, directions, manuals, reports, graphs, and flow charts. 
      3. Arithmetic and Mathematical Operations: perform basic computations and approach practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical techniques.
      4. Listening: receive, attend to, interpret, and respond to verbal messages and other cues.
      5. Speaking: Organize ideas and communicate orally.
    2. Thinking Skills: A worker must think creatively, make decisions, solve problems, visualize, know how to learn, and reason effectively. These skills include:
      1. Creative Thinking: generate new ideas.
      2. Decision Making: specify goals and constraints, generate alternatives, consider risks, and evaluate and choose the best alternative.
      3. Problem Solving: recognize problems and devise and implement plan of action.
      4. Visualize ("Seeing Things in the Mind's Eye"): organize and process symbols, pictures, graphs, objects, and other information.
      5. Knowing How to Learn: use efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills.
      6. Reasoning: discover a rule or principle underlying the relationship between two or more objects and apply it when solving a problem.
    3. Personal Qualities: A worker must display responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self management, integrity, and honesty.
      1. Responsibility: exert a high level of effort and persevere toward goal attainment.
      2. Self-Esteem: believe in one's own self-worth and maintain a positive view of oneself.
      3. Sociability: demonstrate understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and politeness in group settings.
      4. Self-Management: assess oneself accurately, set personal goals, monitor progress, and exhibit self-control.
      5. Integrity and Honesty: choose ethical courses of action.
  2. Workplace competencies are defined in five areas: resources, interpersonal skills, information, systems, and technology.
    1. Resources: A worker must identify, organize, plan, and allocate resources effectively.
      1. Time: select goal-relevant activities, rank them, allocate time, and prepare and follow schedules.
      2. Money: Use or prepare budgets, make forecasts, keep records, and make adjustments to meet objectives.
      3. Material and Facilities: Acquire, store, allocate, and use materials or space efficiently. Examples: construct a decision timeline chart; use computer software to plan a project; prepare a budget; conduct a cost/benefits analysis; design an RFP process; write a job description; develop a staffing plan.
    2. Interpersonal Skills: A worker must work with others effectively.
      1. Participate as a Member of a Team: contribute to group effort.
      2. Teach Others New Skills.
      3. Serve Clients/Customers: work to satisfy customer's expectations.
      4. Exercise Leadership: communicate ideas to justify position, persuade and convince others, responsibly challenge existing procedures and policies.
      5. Negotiate: work toward agreements involving exchange of resources, resolve divergent interests.
      6. Work with Diversity: work well with men and women from diverse backgrounds. Examples: collaborate with a group member to solve a problem; work through a group conflict situation, train a colleague; deal with a dissatisfied customer in person; select and use appropriate leadership styles; use effective delegation techniques; conduct an individual or team negotiation; demonstrate an understanding of how people from different cultural backgrounds might behave in various situations.
    3. Information: A worker must be able to acquire and use information.
      1. Acquire and Evaluate Information.
      2. Organize and Maintain Information.
      3. Interpret and Communicate Information.
      4. Use Computers to Process Information. Examples: research and collect data from various sources; develop a form to collect data; develop an inventory record-keeping system; produce a report using graphics; make an oral presentation using various media; use on-line computer databases to research a report; use a computer spreadsheet to develop a budget.
    4. Systems: A worker must understand complex interrelationships.
      1. Understand Systems: know how social, organizational, and technological systems work and operate effectively with them.
      2. Monitor and Correct Performance: distinguish trends, predict impacts on system operations, diagnose deviations in systems' performance and correct malfunctions.
      3. Improve or Design Systems: suggest modifications to existing systems and develop new or alternative systems to improve performance. Examples: draw and interpret an organizational chart; develop a monitoring process; choose a situation needing improvement, break it down, examine it, propose an improvement, and implement it.
    5. Technology: A worker must be able to work with a variety of technologies.
      1. Select Technology: choose procedures, tools or equipment including computers and related technologies.
      2. Apply Technologies to Task: understand overall intent and proper procedures for setup and operation of equipment.
      3. Maintain and Troubleshoot Equipment: Prevent, identify, or solve problems with equipment, including computers and other technologies. Examples: read equipment descriptions and technical specifications to select equipment to meet needs; set up and assemble appropriate equipment from instructions; read and follow directions for troubleshooting and repairing equipment.