Name of the research center: Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases 

Director of the research center: Professor MD, PhD, PHM Tudor Ovidiu Rareș OLARIU

Date of establishment/ acknowledgement: 05.03.2021

Research areas/ research opportunities:

The Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases at  Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara was established on March 5, 2021, under the coordination of Professor Dr. Tudor Rareș Olariu, Head of the  Parasitology Discipline.

The Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases is the first institutional structure of its kind in Romania, dedicated to the research, diagnosis, and monitoring of parasitic and zoonotic diseases. The Center brings together a team of professionals with extensive and well-established scientific experience, with national and international recognition for their contributions in the field of parasitology and beyond.

The main objectives of this center are to assess the prevalence of parasitic diseases both in the general population and among various population groups, to investigate the associated risk factors and to propose effective methods for prevention and control.

In the current context of increasing population migration and global climate change, parasitic diseases are gaining increasing epidemiological significance. The heightened mobility of populations, driven by socio-economic, political, and ecological factors, facilitates the introduction of parasitic pathogens into non-endemic geographical areas, where healthcare systems may be unprepared to recognize and manage these parasitic infections.

At the same time, global warming alters the ecology of vectors involved in the transmission of parasitic diseases, contributing to their expanded distribution into previously unaffected areas. Consequently, there is an increasing risk of the emergence or re-emergence of diseases such as leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and malaria in temperate regions, including Central and Eastern Europe.

In this continuously evolving epidemiological landscape, the role of the Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases at Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara is essential. Its activities contribute to the identification and monitoring of the distribution of parasitic pathogens, providing scientific and technical support both in the field of accurate diagnosis and in fundamental and applied research in medical parasitology. The scientific activity carried out within the center has resulted in the publication of articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Research

The scientific activity is primarily focused on investigating parasitic diseases in the eastern region of the European continent, including toxoplasmosis, echinococcosis, trichinellosis and digestive parasitosis. The research undertaken addresses epidemiological aspects (including the investigation of associated risk factors) as well as the pathogenetic and diagnostic features of these conditions, significantly contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center expanded its research scope by actively engaging in studies on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population and among blood donors. These investigations identified and evaluated risk factors associated with infection, and based on the results, concrete recommendations were formulated for the prevention and control of virus spread. These studies provided essential data on the dynamic of virus transmission and herd immunity level, contributing to a deeper understanding of the pandemic and supporting the implementation of effective prevention and control strategies.

The results of these studies have been published in prestigious international journals, highlighting Center’s scientific profile internationally. Some of these findings have also been presented at prestigious national and international scientific events, contributing not only to the dissemination of the latest data in medical parasitology but also to enhancing the visibility and academic reputation of the Center within the scientific community. Active participation in these events has facilitated the exchange of ideas, the initiation of interinstitutional collaborations and the alignment of local research with international trends and standards.

International collaborations

A significant contribution to the scientific development of the Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases was provided by Professor Dr. Tudor Rareș Olariu, who shared his extensive professional and research experience with the Center’s members. Under his leadership, substantial international collaborations were initiated and strengthened with prestigious institutions from the United States, such as Stanford and Santa Cruz Universities in California, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health, MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas. These partnerships facilitated the implementation of joint research projects and their results were presented at international scientific conferences and published in renowned specialty journals in the United States and Europe, significantly contributing to the internationalization and academic recognition of the Center.

Members of the Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases

The Center’s activities are coordinated by Professor Dr. Tudor Rareș Olariu and supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising faculty members of the Parasitology Discipline, specialist physicians, PhD students, auxiliary staff, volunteer students and external collaborators.

Scientific articles:

Articles published in peer-reviewed international journals, as a result of the research conducted at the Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases.

  • Olariu TR, Lighezan R, Ursoniu S, Craciun AC, Olariu AT, Sprintar SA, Oatis DA, Lupu MA, Mihu AG. Seroepidemiology of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Blood Donors from Western Romania, August-September 2023. 2025 Oct 6;13(10):2313. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13102313.
  • Morariu L.M.; Lupu M.A.; Craciun A.C.; Oprea M.O.; Chiriac D.V.; Olariu T.R. Serologic screening for anti-rubella immunoglobulin G antibodies in Romanian pregnant women: an unexpected rate of seronegativity. Int J Infect Dis. 2025 Oct 17;161:108137. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.10813
  • Ardelean, A.A.; Lighezan, R.; Ursoniu, S.; Sprintar, S.A.; Oatis, D.A.; Mihu, A.G.; Lupu, M.A.; Olariu, T.R. First Report on the Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with ToxocaraInfection in Blood Donors from Romania. Pathogens 2025, 14, 857. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14090857
  • Dărăbuș, R.G.; Ilie, M.S.; Dărăbuș, G.; Morariu, S.; Dărăbuș, D.M.; Mederle, N.; Imre, M.; Sîrbu, I.O.; Olariu, T.R. Experimental Infection in Mice with CryptosporidiumIsolated from Humans. Pathogens 2025, 14, 843. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14090843
  • Mihu, A.G.; Olariu, A.T.; Piros, L.E.; Grada, S.; Ardelean, A.A.; Sprintar, S.A.; Oatis, D.A.; Lighezan, R.; Olariu, T.R.Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Psychiatric Patients Diagnosed with Moderate and Major Depression from Western Romania: A Case—Control Retrospective Study. Life 2025, 15, 1157. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081157
  • Marc, C.C.; Mot, M.D.; Licker, M.; Muntean, D.; Marti, D.T.; Ardelean, A.A.; Ciceu, A.; Sprintar, S.A.; Oatis, D.A.; Mihu, A.G.; et al. Trends in Positive Urine Culture Rates and Antimicrobial Resistance in Non-Hospitalized Children from Western Romania: A Retrospective Observational Study. Antibiotics2025, 14, 723. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14070723
  • Popa, D.-I.; Buleu, F.; Iancu, A.; Tudor, A.; Williams, C.G.; Sutoi, D.; Marza, A.M.; Trebuian, C.I.; Cîndrea, A.C.; Militaru, M.; Levai CM, Burtic SR, Pah AM, Craciun LM, Ciolac L, Olariu TR, Mederle OA. Performance of GFAP and UCH-L1 for Early Acute Stroke Diagnosis in the Emergency Department.  Clin. Med.2025, 14, 4746. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14134746
  • Dărăbuș, R.G.; Ilie, M.S.; Darabuș, D.M.; Lăzureanu, V.; Roșca, O.; Olariu, T.R. Assessment of Risk Factors for CryptosporidiumInfection in Hospitalized Patients from Romania.  Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 4481. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14134481
  • Dărăbuș, R.G.; Imre, M.; Dărăbuș, G.; Ilie, M.S.; Olariu, A.T.; Dărăbuș, D.M.; Lăzureanu, V.; Roșca, O.; Olariu, T.R. First Detection of Cryptosporidium Canis and Occurrence of Cryptosporidium in Hospitalized Patients in Romania. Microorganisms2025, 13, 931. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040931
  • Olariu T.R, Ursoniu S., Craciun A.C., Dumitrascu V., Vlad D.C., Olariu A.T., Mihu A.G., Lupu M.A. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and associated risk factors in adult outpatients from Western Romania, January to March 2023: a seroepidemiological assessment after three years of COVID-19 pandemic. Infect Dis (Lond). 2025 May;57(5):464-474. doi: 10.1080/23744235.2025.2464864.
  • Mihu, A.G.; Nicolescu, C.M.; Marc, C.C.; Boru, C.; Susan, M.; Ciceu, A.; Sprintar, S.A.; Olariu, A.T.; Oatis, D.A.; Nicolescu, L.C.; Olariu, T. R. Retrospective Serologic Assessment of Vitamin D Levels in Children from Western Romania: A Cross-Sectional Study. Medicina2025, 61, 394. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61030394
  • Mihu, A.G.; Patiu, M.; Dima, D.M.; Oatis, D.A.; Cismaru, C.M.; Lighezan, R.; Olariu, T.R. Visceral Leishmaniasis in a 25-Year-Old Female Kidney Transplant Recipient from a Non-Endemic Region: A Case Report from Romania. Microorganisms2025, 13, 403. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020403
  • Marc, C.C.; Susan, M.; Sprintar, S.A.; Licker, M.; Oatis, D.A.; Marti, D.T.; Susan, R.; Nicolescu, L.C.; Mihu, A.G.; Olariu, T.R.; et al. Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Streptococcus agalactiaein Women of Childbearing Age Presenting Urinary Tract Infections from Western Romania. Life 2024, 14, 1476. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111476
  • Mihu, A.G.; Lighezan, R.; Oatis, D.A.; Mederle, O.A.; Petrine-Mocanu, C.; Petrescu, C.; Prisca, M.E.; Ghenciu, L.A.; Avram, C.R.; Lupu, M.A.; Bica, A.; Olariu, T. R. A Severe Case of Plasmodium falciparumMalaria in a 44-Year-Old Caucasian Woman on Return to Western Romania from a Visit to Nigeria. Life 2024, 14, 1454. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111454
  • Anfossi S, Darbaniyan F, Quinlan J, Calin S, Shimizu M, Chen M, Rausseo P, Winters M, Bogatenkova E, Do KA, Martinez I, Li Z, Antal L, Olariu TR, Wistuba I, Calin GA. MicroRNAs are enriched at COVID-19 genomic risk regions, and their blood levels correlate with the COVID-19 prognosis of cancer patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. Mol Cancer. 2024 Oct 21;23(1):235. doi: 10.1186/s12943-024-02094-9.
  • Ghenciu, L.A.; Hațegan, O.A.; Bolintineanu, S.L.; Dănilă, A.-I.; Iacob, R.; Stoicescu, E.R.; Lupu, M.A.; Olariu, T.R. Human Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Romania: History, Epidemiology, and Public Health: A Narrative Review. Microorganisms2024, 12, 1541. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081541
  • Grada, S.; Mihu, A.G.; Oatis, D.A.; Marc, C.C.; Chicea, L.M.; Petrescu, C.; Lupu, A.M.; Olariu, T.R. Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondiiin Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia: A Case–Control Cross Sectional Study. Biomedicines 2024, 12, 998. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12050998
  • Marin, A.-M.; Olariu, T.R.; Popovici, D.-C.; Marucci, G.; Morariu, S.; Popa, D.; Mederle, N. Trichinella spiralisInfecting Wild Boars in West, Southwest, and Northwest of Romania: Evidence of an Underrated Risk. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 856. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050856
  • Marti, D.T.; Nesiu, A.; Balta, C.; Olariu, T.R.; Mihu, A.G.; Hermenean, A.; Oatis, D.A. Retrospective Analysis of Vitamin D Deficiency in an Adult Population of Arad County, Western Romania (2019–2022). Life2024, 14, 274. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14020274
  • Grada, S.; Mihu, A.G.; Oatis, D.A.; Susan, M.; Lupu, M.A.; Olariu, T.R. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondiiIgG Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors in Psychiatric Patients from Western Romania: A Cross-Sectional Study. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 172. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010172
  • Paduraru A.A., Lupu M.A., Sima L., Cozma G.V., Olariu S.D., Chiriac S.D., Totolici B.D., Pirvu C.A., Lazar F., Nesiu A., Mihu A.G., Cumpanas A.A., Cretu O.M., Olariu T.R. Cystic Echinococcosis in Hospitalized Adult Patients from Western Romania: 2007-2022. Microorganisms. 2023 Sep 25;11(10):2388. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11102388.
  • Dărăbuș, G.; Lupu, M.A.; Mederle, N.; Dărăbuș, R.G.; Imre, K.; Mederle, O.; Imre, M.; Paduraru, A.A.; Morariu, S.; Olariu, T.R. Epidemiology of CryptosporidiumInfection in Romania: A Review. Microorganisms 2023, 11, 1793. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071793
  • Dragomir A, Lupu MA, Lighezan R, Paduraru AA, Olariu TR. Toxoplasma gondiiInfection in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases from Western Romania: A Case-Control Study. Life (Basel). 2023 Jul 17;13(7):1575. doi: 10.3390/life13071575.
  • Dărăbuș G, Lupu MA, Mederle N, Dărăbuș RG, Imre K, Mederle O, Imre M, Paduraru AA, Morariu S, Olariu TR. Epidemiology of CryptosporidiumInfection in Romania: A Review. Microorganisms. 2023 Jul 12;11(7):1793. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11071793.
  • Pavel R, Ursoniu S, Lupu MA, Olariu TR. Trichinellosis in Hospitalized Children and Adults from Western Romania: A 11-Year Retrospective Study. Life (Basel). 2023 Apr 8;13(4):969. doi: 10.3390/life13040969.
  • Paduraru AA, Lupu MA, Lighezan R, Pavel R, Cretu OM, Olariu TR. Seroprevalence of Anti-Echinococcus granulosusAntibodies and Risk Factors for Infection in Blood Donors from Western Romania. Life (Basel). 2023 Mar 24;13(4):871. doi: 10.3390/life13040871.
  • Olariu TR, Lighezan R, Ursoniu S, Craciun AC, Mihu AG, Lupu MA. High SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in blood donors from Romania after the third COVID-19 pandemic wave. Infect Dis (Lond). 2022 Jul;54(7):534-537. doi: 10.1080/23744235.2022.2036811.
  • Lupu MA, Lighezan R, Paduraru AA, Dragomir A, Pavel R, Grada S, Mihu AG, Ursoniu S, Olariu TR. Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Blood Donors from Western Romania. Microorganisms. 2022 May 5;10(5):973. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10050973.
  • Olariu TR, Craciun AC, Vlad DC, Dumitrascu V, Pop LL, Horhat F, Lupu MA. SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Children from Western Romania, March to June 2021. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2022 Apr;22(4):267-270. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0003. Epub 2022 Apr 6.
  • Mihu AG, Micle O, Lupu MA, Olariu TR. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondiiin Females Aged 15-45 Years from Bihor County, Western Romania. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2022 Mar;22(3):195-198. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0052. Epub 2022 Feb 9. PMID: 35138942.
  • Mihu AG, Micle O, Lupu MA, Olariu TR. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Females Aged 15-45 Years from Bihor County, Western Romania. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2022 Feb 9. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0052. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35138942.
  • Olariu TR, Craciun AC, Vlad DC, Dumitrascu V, Marincu I, Lupu MA. SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Western Romania, March to June 2021. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Dec 26;58(1):35. doi: 10.3390/medicina58010035.
  • Olariu TR, Ursoniu S, Marincu I, Lupu MA. Dynamics of Antibody Response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine: A 7-Month Follow-Up Study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Dec 5;57(12):1330. doi: 10.3390/medicina57121330. PMID: 34946275;
  • Grada S, Mihu AG, Petrescu C, Suciu O, Marincu I, Lupu MA, Olariu TR. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders from Western Romania. Medicina. 2022; 58(2):208. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58020208
  • Pavel R, Ursoniu S, Paduraru AA, Lighezan R, Lupu MA, Olariu TR. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Trichinella spiralis Infection in Blood Donors from Western Romania. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Jan 15;58(1):128. doi: 10.3390/medicina58010128.
  • Lupu MA, Pavel R, Lazureanu VE, Popovici ED, Olariu TR. Trichinellosis in hospitalized patients from Western Romania: A retrospective study. Exp Ther Med. 2021 Aug;22(2):895. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10327. Epub 2021 Jun 18. PMID: 34194571; PMCID: PMC8237275.
Members list:

Titular members:

No.

Name and surname 

Academic/ Research title

1

Olariu Tudor Ovidiu Rareș

Professor

2

Lighezan Rodica

Professor

3

Lupu Maria Alina

Associate Professor

4

Țîrnea Livius Octavian

Senior Lecturer

5

Ardelean Ana Alexandra

Assistant Professor

PhD Students:

No.

Name and surname 

Didactic research degree

E-mail

1

Darabus Rodica -Georgiana

PhD Student Parasitology UMFVBT

drbsgeorgiana@yahoo.com

2

Alexandru George Catalin

PhD Student Parasitology UMFVBT

alexandru.mgeorge@gmail.com

3

Barbatei Ionel Darius

PhD Student Parasitology UMFVBT

darius.barbatei@gmail.com

4

Morariu Larisa-Maria

PhD Student Parasitology UMFVBT

 morariu.larisa@gmail.com

5

Ivașca Dan

Resident Physician, ICU

dan.ivasca@umft.ro

6

Magheț Rusalin Nicolae Cristian

Resident Physician, Laboratory Medicine

cristian.maghet@umft.ro

7

Oațiș Mihu Daniela Adriana

Specialist Physician,
Infectious Diseases

daniela.oatis@umft.ro

Associated members

No.

Name and surname 

Didactic research degree

E-mail

1

Darabus Rodica -Georgiana

PhD Student Parasitology UMFVBT

drbsgeorgiana@yahoo.com

2

Alexandru George Catalin

PhD Student Parasitology UMFVBT

alexandru.mgeorge@gmail.com

3

Barbatei Ionel Darius

PhD Student Parasitology UMFVBT

darius.barbatei@gmail.com

4

Marian Andreea Raluca

Laboratory technician Parasitology UMFVBT

andreea.marian@umft.ro

5

Morariu Larisa-Maria

PhD Student Parasitology UMFVBT

morariu.larisa@gmail.com

6

Cojocariu –Varga Serena-Francesca

student UMFVBT

fserenacojocariu@gmail.com

7

Dragut Corina-Ionela

student UMFVBT

dragut.corina.ionela@gmail.com

8

Mihalca Vlad

student UMFVBT

vlad.mihalca22@yahoo.com

9

Costea Denisa-Claudia

student UMFVBT

costea.denisa925@gmail.com

10

Gataiantu Cristina

student UMFVBT

gataiantuc@gmail.com

11

Tabără Amânar Alexandru Iosif

student UMFVBT

alexandru-iosif.tabara-amanar@student.umft.ro

12

Balațchi Svetlana-Ana-Maria

student UMFVBT

svetlana.balatchi@student.umft.ro

13

Bodnărescu Sânziana-Maria

student UMFVBT

sanziana.bodnarescu@student.umft.ro

14

Lupu Iulia

student UMFVBT

iulia.lupu@student.umft.ro

15

Ionițoiu Iulia

student UMFVBT

iulia.ionitoiu@student.umft.ro

External Collaborators

No.

Teaching degree/research
Name and surname

Afilliation (Institution/department)

E-mail

1

Senior Lecturer Mihu Alin Gabriel

Microbiology-Department of Biology, Vasile Goldiş Western University, ARAD Romania

alinmg@yahoo.com

2

Associate Professor Chicea Liana Maria

University Lucian Blaga SIBIU

liana.chicea@gmail.com

3

As. univ. Marc Constantin Catalin

Microbiology-Department of Biology, Vasile Goldiş Western University, ARAD Romania

marc.catalin@yahoo.com

4

Researcher Sprintar Sergiu Adrian

Aurel Ardelean Life Sciences Institute, Vasile Goldiş Western University, Arad, Romania

sergiu.sprintar@umft.ro