VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY (SYLLABUS FOR ICAR’S JRF/SRF(PGS) )

SYLLABUS FOR THE ALL INDIA COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR ADMISSION TO DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMMES AND THE AWARD OF

JRF/SRF (PGS)

22 VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY 

Unit 1: Veterinary Helminthology 

Introduction to veterinary helminthology, general account of morphology, classification, lifecycle patterns, epizootiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnosis; treatment and control of parasites belonging to the various families, Identification of various snail species, laboratory rearing, dissection and general control measures against snail borne helminthosis. Vaccines and recent advances in diagnostic techniques for helminth diseases. 

Unit 2: Veterinary Entomology 

Introduction to veterinary entomology, classification, distributions, morphology, life-cycle, seasonal patterns and economic significance of insects and acarines belonging to the various families. Treatment, control and integrated arthropod pest management. Current advances in immunological interventions/ Control of arthropods, Vaccines and recent advances in diagnostic techniques for arthropods 

Unit 3: Veterinary Protozoology 

Introduction to veterinary protozoology, classification, morphology, life-cycle, clinical symptoms, pathogenesis, diagnosis, chemotherapy, prophylaxis and control of parasites belonging to the various families, Vaccines and recent advances in diagnostic techniques for protozoan diseases. 

Unit 4: Clinical Parasitology 

Clinical and parasitological signs of parasitic infections in domestic animals, Parasitic diseases of skin, eyes, alimentary, respiratory, urinary, genital, nervous, cardio-vascular and haematopoietic systems. Keys to identification and different diagnosis of helminthic eggs, nematode larvae, gravid proglottids of major tape worms, blood protozoans and apicomplexan group of parasites. 

Unit 5: Parasitic Zoonoses 

Introduction and importance of parasitic zoonoses, classification of parasitic zoonoses, geoveterinary and epidemiological aspects including factors influencing prevalence, distribution and transmission of diseases. Role of reservoir hosts, natural habitat, wildlife and their public health significance, clinical features, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, control and prophylaxis of zoonotic parasitic infections. 

Unit 6: Management of Livestock Parasitism 

Factors affecting epidemiology, host environment, development and survival of infective stages, microhabitat, seasonal development (hypobiosis/diapause), dietary and host factors altering susceptibility, concurrent infections. Influence of genetic factors, general approaches to control of parasitic diseases – stock management practises, stock rates, rotational grazing, clean grazing. Parasite worm burden (EPG). Strategic and tactical control strategies involved in chemical control of helminth, protozoan and arthropod infestations. Broad and narrowspectrum anthelmintics, antiprotozoal drugs, insecticides and acaricides. Newer drug delivery systemsslow and pulse release methods. Anthelmintic failure – drug resistance monitoring and management. Prospects of alternative methods of control, breeding for host resistance against parasites. Control of vectors and intermediate hosts and sustainable management. Estimation of economical losses due to parasitic diseases. 

Unit 7: Immunoparasitology 

General principles of parasitic immunity and immune responses to helminths, protozoa, arthropods – The adaptive immune responses, evasion of immunity, classical antiparasite responses – concomitant immunity, premunition, spring-rise, self-cure, VLM, CLM, parasitic granuloma, nodule formation, Hypersensitivity reactions to parasitic diseases. Parasitic antigens relevant to immunity and diagnosis, their identification and purification-general protocols, immunomodulators and their use in immunopotentiation. Demonstration and characterisation. Development of live, attenuated, killed and new generation vaccines. 

Unit 8: Diagnostic Parasitology 

Laboratory diagnostic procedures for parasite identification and detection, coprodetection techniques, floatation/concentration, methods, direct microscopy, parasitic staining and special techniques used in parasite identification. Culture and identification of nematode larvae, cercaria, identification of metacestodes and animal infestation, methods for parasite isolation. Diagnostic procedures for manage and bot infestations. General immunodiagnostic assays (ELISA, IFAT, Dot-ELISA, EITB). Principles of validation of diagnostic assays, and OIE recommendations for diagnosis and knowledge of referral laboratory of O.I.E. and molecular techniques used in parasite epidemiology and diagnosis.