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This book has been prepared as a comprehensive guide for students and earlycareer researchers engaged in the study and diagnosis of animal parasitic  diseases. The field of veterinary parasitology requires a solid foundation in both fundamental laboratory practices and specialised diagnostic techniques, and this manual aims to bridge that gap by providing clear, practical instructions for a wide range of essential procedures. The manual opens with an overview of laboratory fundamentals and safety practices, including protocols for biosafety, proper equipment handling, waste management, and emergency response. Building on this foundation, it covers the preparation of laboratory solutions and reagents, equipping users with the necessary skills for routine and specialised work. Subsequent chapters present step-by-step methods for diagnostic procedures in veterinary parasitology, including specimen collection, blood and faecal examinations, staining techniques, and microscopic analysis. Recognising the growing importance of molecular biology in veterinary diagnostics, the manual also details standard protocols for DNA extraction, primer design, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequence analysis. These advanced methods are becoming indispensable tools for the precise characterisation and identification of parasitic species. To further support effective laboratory work, appendices provide practical checklists, troubleshooting guides, and recommendations for further reading and resources.

This chapter introduces the essential components of laboratory work that form the foundation for veterinary parasitology and molecular biology research. A well-equipped laboratory along with proper safety protocols and correctly prepared reagents, is the key to reliable experimental outcomes and a secure working environment. The following sections describe the standard operating procedures and laboratory biosafety, standard equipment used in research work, and the fundamental principles of solution preparation. These basic laboratory skills are essential prerequisites for the specialised techniques covered in subsequent chapters on veterinary parasitology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. Understanding and applying these foundational concepts allows researchers to maintain experimental consistency, ensure reproducible results, and conduct investigations safely and efficiently. The methods and principles outlined here will be regularly applied throughout the various techniques detailed in this manual, serving as essential knowledge for all laboratory personnel as well short-term visitors. 1.1 Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and Safety Laboratory safety is fundamental to protecting personnel, maintaining sample integrity, and ensuring reliable experimental outcomes. This section outlines essential laboratory conduct, safety protocols for personnel and equipment, waste management, and emergency protocols for standard laboratories carrying out diagnostics as well as research.

This chapter explores the essential techniques used in veterinary parasitology to collect, identify, and diagnose parasitic infections. These methods are crucial for understanding general animal health, the complex relationships between parasites and their hosts and for tracking disease outbreaks, that will ultimately allow the development of effective control strategies. Whether in a research lab or a clinical setting, the techniques discussed here are widely used to detect and study parasites that impact both domestic and wild animals. 2.1 Collection of Specimens for Parasitological Examinations Different species of parasites affects almost all parts of the host. These organisms can inhabit virtually every organ system of the host animal, from the brain and lungs to the digestive tract and skin. Therefore, a thorough examination of both living animals and post-mortem cases is essential for collecting parasites and determining cause of death (when applicable). When collecting from live animals, samples should be collected after through exanimation of the animals and following the standard procedure. The collection of correct samples, use of appropriate transport media and proper handling of specimens are crucial factors that directly influence diagnostic accuracy. The type of specimen collected depends on the methods of identification and diagnosis. For example, diagnosis of blood parasites requires specific types of samples: peripheral blood smears for microscopic examination of hemoprotozoans, serum or plasma for ELISA and other serological tests, and unclotted whole blood for molecular diagnostic methods such as PCR and qPCR.

This chapter outlines fundamental molecular biology protocols essential for genomic analysis and molecular characterisation. Modern molecular biology relies heavily on precise analytical techniques for studying genetic material. Hence, this section presents a typical workflow encompassing nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and subsequent analysis. These methodologies are fundamental to various applications in molecular biology, including phylogenetic analysis, gene expression studies, and molecular diagnostics. The chapter covers four core molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques, each building upon the previous: 1. Genomic DNA Extraction: Protocols for efficient isolation of DNA from biological samples. This encompasses cell lysis, protein denaturation, and nucleic acid purification through standard separation techniques. The quality and purity of extracted DNA significantly influences downstream applications. 2. Primer Design with Primer3: In silico design of oligonucleotide primers for PCR amplification. This section covers primer design parameters including optimal melting temperature (Tm), GC content, primer length, and considerations for avoiding secondary structures and primer-dimer formation.