Viral and Parasitic Infections

Code

PHAR3035

School

Pharmacy

Level

3

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn Malaysia

Summary

Viruses and Parasites present special challenges for Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists. There are far less antiviral than anti-bacterial drugs; the same can be said for anthelminthics. Although this may not be obvious, viruses and parasites, whether small unicellular organisms like the causative agent of malaria, or larger metazoan parasites such as worms, share one feature: they have all adopted a parasitic lifestyle. This has special implications in terms of the number of targets available for selective treatment. The aim of this module is to make you aware of the fundamental problems encountered in the treatment of parasitic diseases, while at the same time highlighting how modern approaches (e.g. in silico drug design) can overcome such limitations.
More than other diseases, viral diseases such as HIV or ‘bird flu’ H5N1 influenza can raise complex ethical issues, ranging from confidentiality to the ethical management of pandemics. Neglected tropical diseases account for a large number of deaths worldwide, yet as their name suggest they are not in the focus of drug development. Aspects of travel medicine will also be covered in this module. Topical issues such as Ebola or Zika virus may also be included as these matters arise. This module aims to get you thinking about the available treatments for important viral and parasitic diseases. It will introduce tools and concepts enabling the quantitative assessment of socioeconomic impact of diseases.
Examples of topics within the module include:
•     The mechanisms of viral attachment, replication, assembly end release and how these steps can be targeted by drugs
•     Drugs for treatment parasitic pathogens, and their mechanisms of action
•     The benefits of using vaccination
 

Assessment

• 30% Lab reports
• 70% Rogo (2-hour): Rogo (end-term)

Learning Outcomes

MLO1: Appraise comprehensively (i) the theoretical and technical knowledge in biological mechanisms employed by viruses and parasites to infect their hosts, and (ii) the mechanisms of action and pharmacological properties of antiviral, antiprotozoal and anti-helminthic drugs in targeting such biological mechanisms. (C4-Analysing) 
MLO2: Apply the knowledge associated with viruses and parasites infection, therapeutic usefulness of numerous classes of medicine in clinical use. (C3-Applying) 
MLO3: Perform diagnostic procedures to diagnose infections and computer modelling techniques for infections treatment. (P5-Complex overt responses) 
MLO4: Review the roles that pharmacists play in advising patients regarding travel medicines, immunisation, antiviral and antiparasitic veterinary medicines. (C2-Understanding)
MLO 5: Illustrate local and global issues relating to vaccination, public health issues such as malaria, Flu, MMR etc. (C4-Analysing) 

Conveners