ADP-22303 Infections and Disorders

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Cell Biology, Immunology and Thermoregulation, Zoology, Nutrition.

Contents:

It is widely known that the immune system operates against infection or tumors. However, it is much less known that many mechanisms of the immune system are operating in other physiological responses as well, suggesting interactions between (auto-)immune responses and physiological compartments like behaviour and energy, aging, and nutrient metabolism etc. The introduction course Infections and Disorders focuses on known mechanistic and physiological relationships between infectious agents or diseases, and metabolic-, behavioural- and production-related disorders in food animals and man. After introduction lectures in types of infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites), energy metabolism, (mal)nutrition, and (mal)behaviour, and aging, several important diseases will be presented, illustrated and discussed. Especially diseases which are important on the level of the farm, sector and human health. Cases with respect to feed, welfare, and production in combination with examples of diseases and disorders of cattle, pigs, poultry, horses (and man) will be subject of this course.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- interpret various types of animal diseases based on the knowledge of illustrated cases;
- relate physiological mechanism underlying seemingly unrelated diseases and disorders;
- identify risk factors on the animal and farm level for the prevalence of diseases and disorders;
- retrieve intervention and prevention methods;
- apply knowledge to prevent or minimize animal disease and disorders.

Activities:

Via introductory lectures the student learns mechanisms underlying different forms of disease and disorders and possibilities for intervention on the basis of practical examples (case studies).
During self-learning and self-active studies, and studies under tutorial supervision (workshop-like), the student obtains further insight in the nature of the exemplified types of diseases or disorders. Based on the self-activities appointed groups of students are required to write a report on a chosen lecture.

Examination:

- written exam with multiple choice questions (90%)
- group report (by a group 10%).

Literature:

A Reader will be made available shortly prior to the start of the course.