Giulio Grandi

Background

• Degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM), 2002, University of Parma (Italy)
• License to practice (Italian, 2003 and Swedish/leg vet, 2013)
• Doctoral Degree from the University of Parma (2008); Associate Professor/docent (2019) and Senior Lecturer (2024)
• European Veterinary Specialist in Parasitology (Diplomate EVPC) since 2009, recertified in 2014, 2019, 2024
• Doctoral thesis on “Immunopathogenesis of parasitic diseases”.

Publications

More than 64 documents (peer-reviewed articles and popular science contributions). h-index = 23 according to Scopus (2025-08-11).

Published on, among others:

• Canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) and its symbiont Wolbachia
• Treatment of canine heartworm disease (CHD) with alternative protocols
• Epidemiological studies on parasites in domestic and wild animals in Italy and Sweden
• Essential oils as a treatment tool against ticks
• Ticks and their distribution in Sweden, including tick-borne pathogens
• Diagnosis and control of liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) in ruminants
• Parasite surveillance and targeted control of grazing parasites in horses
• Use of AI in veterinary parasitology

Since 2005, my research has focused on various aspects of veterinary parasitology. First, I studied the interaction of parasites with the immune system using different in vitro models (e.g. Leishmania infantum, Neospora caninum). I also studied how the symbionts of D. immitis could affect the dog's immune system and the pathogenesis of the disease and how they could be used as treatment targets.

Since 2012, when I moved to Sweden, I have focused on ticks, tick-borne pathogens and the description of symbionts in ticks. Since my appointment as a senior lecturer, I have focused more on parasites in farm animals.

I have mostly worked with traditional methods (coprological analyses, necropsies, microscopy, morphological identification of parasites) but recently I have started to integrate my knowledge with molecular methods such as PCR, ddPCR and digital techniques (AI-based microscopy).

Responsible for the parasitology module within various teaching programs:

• Veterinary medicine
• Animal nursing
• Animals and sustainability (Djur och hållbarhet)
• Ethology and animal welfare (Etologi och djurskydd)
• Infection biology (master's program in collaboration with Uppsala University)