ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
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Course title |
Immunology of Infectious Diseases |
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Course code |
PVEDC 622 |
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Credit hours |
2 |
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Course category |
Elective |
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Instructor |
Teklu Wegayehu (PhD) |
Course Description
Immunology is a fascinating, but complex and rapidly changing field. In this course, the general introduction will provide cells and organs of the immune system; the different components of immunity; and receptor and signaling. A concise overview and analysis of the immune defense against infectious diseases and parasite escape within host will be presented. Special attention will be given to the various components of the immune system that play a role in the induction of innate and adaptive immunity against infectious diseases. Finally, infectious disease and vaccine will be highlighted.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
§ Describe the structure and function of cell and organs of the immune system and its components;
§ Provide an overview of the types of cell interactions and molecules required for specific immunity;
§ Distinguish the most important immunological features relating to the major vector borne infections of man;
§ Describe the basic principles of host immunity to infection against the diverse range of pathogens which confront human populations;
§ Describe the mechanisms that the parasites escape within hosts; and infectious disease and vaccine.
Course Contents
1. Overview of the Immune system (3hrs)
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Innate and Adaptive Immunity
1.3. Cells of the Immune System
1.4. Organs of the Immune System
2. Innate (Non-specific) Immunity (3hrs)
2.1.Overview of the Innate Immunity
2.2.Features of Microbes Recognitions
2.3.Components of Innate Immunity
2.4.Cellular: Phagocytosis and Intracellular Killing
2.5.Cellular: Natural Killer (NK) Cells
3. Soluble Effector Molecules of Innate Immunity (3hrs)
3.1. The Complement System
3.1.2. Activation and Pathways
3.1.3. Complement Function
3.2.Others (Pentraxins, Collectins and Ficolins)
3.3.Cytokines of Innate Immunity
4. Antigen Recognition in the Adaptive Immune System(5hrs)
4.1 Antigens and Antigenic Determinants
4.2 Antigen Receptors of Lymphocytes
§ T-cell Receptors (TCRs)
§ Immunoglobulins (Antibodies)
4.3 Antigen Recognition by Lymphocytes
§ Recognition by T Lymphocytes
§ Recognition by B Lymphocytes
4.4 Phases of Adaptive Immune Response
5. Cell-Mediated Immune Responses (2hrs)
5.1. Overview of the System
5.2. Effector Functions of CD4+ T Lymphocytes
5.3. Effector Functions of CD8+ T Lymphocytes
6. Humoral Immune Responses (2hrs)
6.1. Overview of the System
6.2. Effector Mechanism of Humoral Immunity
7. Immune Response to Infections (8hrs)
7.1. Overview of Immune Response to Infection
7.2. Immune Response to Selected Pathogens
7.2.1. Immunology of Malaria
7.2.2. Immunology of Leishmaniasis
7.2.3.Immunology of Filariasis
7.2.4.Immunology of Sleeping Sickness
7.2.5.Immunology of Chagas Disease
7.2.6.Immunology of Onchocerciasis
7.2.7.Immunology of Yellow Fever
7.3. Summary of Maine lesson
8. Parasite Escape within Hosts (2hrs)
8.1. Evasion of Innate Immune Response
8.2. Evasion of Cell-Mediated Immune Response
8.3. Evasion of Innate Immune Response
9. Infectious Disease and Vaccine (2hrs)
9.1. Immunization and Infectious Diseases
9.2. Active and Passive Immunization
9.3. licensed Human Vaccination
9.3. Vaccine Under Trial: COVID-19 in Focus
Teaching Methods
Ø The course will encompass specific facilitator inputs (e.g. Lecture presentations), combined with a variety of interactive learning activities, including: structured group work, group and individual reflection, self-study and writing and plenary discussions. Each student will be required to conduct a bibliographic search on a specific topic chosen among the proposed topics, and write a report (5-6 pages, single space). Toward the end of the semester, each student will make a power point presentation that would lead a discussion.
Mode of Evaluation or Assessment
1. Activity …………………………………………...……………………………..... 5%
2. Assignments ………………....………….……………………...……..…..….....15%
3. Mid exam ………………………………….……………….….…………........…30%
4. Final examinations ……..…………………………………..………….……….. 50%
References
Janeway, T Ravers Walport and Shlomchik. (2005). Immunobiology. 6th edition. Garland science publishing.
Abbas, A. K. and Lichtman, A. H. (2004). Basic Immunology: Function and disorders of the immune system. 2nd edition.
Roitt, I., Brostoff, J. and Male, D. (2002). Immunology, 6th Edition, 460pp, London.
Frank, S.A. (2002). Immunology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases, Princeton University Press.
- Teacher: Teklu Wegayehu