Abstract
Parasitic nematodes (roundworms) of small ruminants and other livestock have major economic impacts worldwide. Despite the impact of the diseases caused by these nematodes and the discovery of new therapeutic agents (anthelmintics), there has been relatively limited progress in the development of practical molecular tools to study the epidemiology of these nematodes. Specific diagnosis underpins parasite control, and the detection and monitoring of anthelmintic resistance in livestock parasites, presently a major concern around the world. The purpose of the present article is to provide a concise account of the biology and knowledge of the epidemiology of the gastrointestinal nematodes (order Strongylida), from an Australian perspective, and to emphasize the importance of utilizing advanced molecular tools for the specific diagnosis of nematode infections for refined investigations of parasite epidemiology and drug resistance detection in combination with conventional methods. It also gives a perspective on the possibility of harnessing genetic, genomic and bioinformatic technologies to better understand parasites and control parasitic diseases.
Highlights
Parasites of livestock cause diseases of major socioeconomic importance worldwide
The annual cost associated with parasitic diseases in sheep and cattle in Australia has been estimated at 1 billion dollars [1,2] and are proposed to be tens of billions of dollars worldwide, according to the sales of anti-parasitic compounds by pharmaceutical companies, excluding production losses
This situation can lead to enhanced pathogenic effects of the parasite at times of nutritional stress and might replenish adult worm populations at times when larval intake from pasture is low [39,40]
Summary
Parasites of livestock cause diseases of major socioeconomic importance worldwide. The current financial and agriculture losses caused by parasites have a substantial impact on farm profitability. In sheep of all age groups, infective L3s of Te. circumcincta ingested in winter, spring and early summer undergo, within the host, arrested development at the early fourth stage and resume their development in the following summer and early autumn This situation can lead to enhanced pathogenic effects of the parasite at times of nutritional stress and might replenish adult worm populations at times when larval intake from pasture is low [39,40]. The MT-PCR established by Roeber et al [85] essentially meets the international standards [88,89] for routine use in a laboratory setting for research or routine diagnostic purposes and has some significant advantages over traditional methods, regarding the interpretation of FEC results and recommendations about anthelmintic treatment This test improves the diagnosis of infections with nematode species, which are problematic to detect or identify by traditional coprological techniques, either because of their morphological/morphometric similarity with other species/ genera (i.e., Teladorsagia and Trichostrongylus, C. ovina and O. venulosum) or their unfavourable development under ‘standard’ culture conditions (27°C).
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