IN THIS SECTION
Department of Parasitology
The Department of
Veterinary Parasitology, as one of the cornerstones of Veterinary medicine
education, conducts education, research, and community service activities on
the identification, biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment,
and control methods of agents that cause infectious parasitic diseases in animals.
This department covers a wide range of parasite groups that cause disease in
animals, including protozoa (e.g., Eimeria, Toxoplasma, Babesia),
helminths (nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes), and ectoparasites (ticks,
lice, flies, mites).
The primary objective of
the department is to develop scientifically based strategies for identifying
parasitic agents that threaten animal health, determining transmission routes,
and preventing and controlling diseases. Additionally, due to the potential for
zoonotic parasites to infect humans, the department plays a significant role in
veterinary public health. In developing countries in particular, parasitic
diseases negatively affect animal production and cause economic losses. In this
context, Parasitology is a strategic discipline in terms of both preventive
medicine and public health.
At the undergraduate
level, students are provided with theoretical knowledge as well as practical
training, including technical skills such as faecal examination methods
(flotation, sedimentation, Fulleborn, McMaster), blood smears, microscopic
examination, and vector identification. Additionally, the mechanisms of action
of antiparasitic drugs, the development of resistance, biosafety practices, and
parasitic disease control programmes are also covered in detail in the
curriculum.
Although not yet
available in our department, graduate education programmes (master's and
doctoral) enable students to conduct original research and contribute to
science in the fields of parasite diagnosis, molecular biology, immunology, and
new treatment methods. Research is supported by both laboratory conditions and
field studies; scientific infrastructure is strengthened through projects
supported by TÜBİTAK and various institutions.
The Department of Veterinary Parasitology collaborates with universities, research institutes, and public institutions at the national and international levels, maintaining academic productivity through scientific publications, conferences, and symposiums. It also plays critical roles in animal welfare, sustainable livestock farming, and food safety, making valuable contributions to the country's livestock industry and public health.
