Parasitology
Non-therapeutic approaches to control of parasitic gastroenteritis
in small ruminants
Jackson, F
Worm infections have a significant impact on the welfare and performance
of farmed livestock, for over 40 years chemoprophylaxis has been the
principal means of controlling diseases caused by gastrointestinal
nematodes. Over 3 billion US dollars are spent annually worldwide
on anthelmintics. The availability of cheap effective chemotherapeutics
has enabled the development of intensive livestock production systems
that are wholly reliant upon effective chemical control. In recent
years the increasing prevalence of drug resistance in small ruminants
has meant that some of these systems are no longer sustainable. This
lack of sustainability, coupled with the need to reduce chemical usage
in food producing animals and minimise any environmental impact has
led to research examining other approaches to control. These approaches
could be used integratively to develop sustainable control strategies.
The aim of the current project is to investigate the applicability
and relevance of alternative non-therapeutic approaches in controlling
parasitic (internal) or free-living (external) stages of the worms
life-cycle. Approaches being examined include; the screening of bioactive
forages for antiparasitic activity, the effect of nematophagous fungi
on reducing worm contamination on pasture, genetic selection of Scottish
cashmere goats to withstand parasite infections and optimised protein
nutrition in order minimise the impact of the periparturient relaxation
of immunity in ewes which is a major source of pasture contamination