Diagnostic Parasitology: Laboratory Practice and Clinical Aspects

Course overview

This intensive course is designed for professionals that work in clinical science and require both practical education in the identification of parasites of medical importance and additional training in the clinical aspects of parasitological diagnosis (e.g. NHS Scientist Training Programme).

Days 1-4 consist of our long-established and highly popular Laboratory Diagnosis of Faecal and Blood Parasites course. Each session includes short presentations by specialist staff followed by practical work at the bench to provide experience in the identification of parasites.

Day 5 involves elements of training in our UKAS accredited Clinical Diagnostic Parasitology Laboratory and discussion-based learning with specialist clinicians. Clinical case studies will explore presentations of common parasitic infections, diagnostic pathways, clinical management and treatment.

All sessions also provide opportunities for discussion with staff on points of interest for individual participants. This includes the clinical session where there is an opportunity for participants to bring previous clinical cases for discussion with staff (with appropriate notice).

Given the structure of this course, it is anticipated that there will be maximum and minimum thresholds on participant numbers. To help us manage the number of participants, please aim at finalising your application by paying the course fee by Thursday 11th June 2026.

Course content

• Examination of faeces for the diagnosis of protozoa and helminths*
• Malaria – recognition of parasites and other diagnostic approaches*
• Recognition and diagnosis of haemoflagellates and filariasis*
• Diagnostic problems and other self-assessment exercises
• Observations of processes in an active clinical diagnostic laboratory
• Hands-on training of common techniques used
• Case-study discussion with specialist clinicians of common clinical syndromes related to parasitic infection, including fever in the returning traveller, diarrhoea and eosinophilia.

* Topics may include optional activities, providing participants with some control over the balance of faecal and blood parasites studied.

Timetable

Day 1

• Course registration
• Introduction and safety
• Pre-course test
• Intestinal protozoa and coccidia
• Identification of intestinal protozoa
• Examination of coccidian parasites / test samples
• Nematodes
• Identification of nematode ova practical and demonstration

Day 2

• Cestodes
• Identification of cestode ova practical and demonstration
• Trematodes
• Identification of trematode ova practical and demonstration
• Faecal / urine concentration and other methods
• Developments in molecular diagnostics for parasitic disease
• Spot test: faecal parasites / diagnostic parasitology
• World trip

Day 3

• Malaria morphology
• Malaria morphology practical
• Other techniques for malaria diagnosis
• RDT’s practical and demonstration
• Diagnostic parasitology

Day 4

• Haemoflagellates
• Haemoflagellates practical and demonstration
• Filariasis
• Filariasis practical and demonstration
• Spot test
• Post-course test
• Q&A session

Day 5

• Clinical Diagnostic Parasitology Laboratory training
• Discussion-based learning facilitated by specialist clinicians

Academic requirements

It is assumed that all students on the course will be one of the following:

• Clinical Scientist
• NHS Scientist Training Programme Trainee

If you have another clinically-focused role or education and wish to participate in this course, please contact kelly.johnston@lstmed.ac.uk to discuss your suitability.