ParSCo: celebrating 10 years of a unique parasitology summer course

TL;DR

ParSCo is a 1-week parasitology summer course in Italy celebrating 10 years of training and community building for parasitologists and students.

Contribution

The paper highlights the 10-year anniversary and unique educational value of the ParSCo summer course.

Findings

ParSCo combines theoretical and practical training in parasitology for professionals and students.

The course provides hands-on experience in diagnosing parasitic diseases in Mediterranean wildlife and livestock.

ParSCo fosters community and knowledge exchange in a unique southern Italian setting.

Abstract

ParSCo (Parasitology Summer Course) is an intense, 1-week-long summer course organized by the Parasitology Unit of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy, with the support of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), the European Veterinary Parasitology College (EVPC) and Parasites and Vectors. The course, which is conducted in southern Italy, is planned for parasitologists and post-graduate students working in the field of parasitology. The course consists of theoretical and practical lessons, which include the collection, identification and diagnosis of parasites of pets, livestock and wildlife. The participants in ParSCo are afforded the opportunity to be involved in clinical examination and sample collection for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases (e.g. leishmaniosis, thelaziosis and many tick-borne diseases) present in the Mediterranean Basin. The course is conducted at Casa di Caccia, a hunting lodge situated in the Gallipoli Cognato Forest near the Basento River in the Basilicata region in southern Italy. In addition to the training purpose, ParSCo is a great opportunity for sharing knowledge and expertise while becoming part of the parasitology community in a pleasant environment. In this editorial, we share some information and celebrate 10 years of ParSCo, looking forward to forthcoming sessions of this unique parasitology summer course.

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