3.3
Anthelmintic resistance
Keywords
Veterinary, parasitology, anthelmintics, resistance,
worming, helminth
Expertise
Worms are one of the most common animal infections
and the development and study of effective controls is a
major focus of our veterinary research. Parasitic worms,
called helminths, are typically controlled by a family of
drugs known as ‘anthelmintics’.
The frequent use of these anthelmintics in animals to
prevent infections and minimise exposure to the parasite
has led to drug resistance in parasite populations.
Anthelmintics are becoming less effective and worm
infections will be much harder to control in the long term.
We are exploring how helminths develop resistance so
we can test sustainable drug-based control strategies.
Our studies provide evidence-based recommendations
on the use of anthelmintics for each host species; sheep,
cattle and horses.
We have significant expertise in the detailed biology
and epidemiology of the parasite and have an in-depth
understanding of the relationships between the parasites
and their hosts.
Our expertise helps to identify worm infections in
livestock and assess whether anthelmintics currently in
use are effective. We can provide on-farm support for the
effective control of parasites in horses and livestock and
use our knowledge to provide decision support systems
for veterinarians, horse owners and farmers.
Our knowledge is based on the most recent research on
infection control which makes us an attractive Continuing
professional development (CPD) provider. We also work
with stakeholders (eg World Horse Welfare, British Horse
Society and pharmaceutical companies) in the area of
equine welfare and livestock production to embed best
practice to reduce the risks of helminth infection.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Veterinary parasitology diagnostics (eg faecal
egg counts)
•
Anthelmintic resistance detection (eg faecal egg
count reduction tests)
•
Molecular detection of parasite resistance genes
•
Parasite identification, including molecular and
morphological identification.
Health & Wellbeing
23
3.2
Veterinary pathology
Keywords
Veterinary pathology, companion and food animal,
exotic, zoo and wild animals, wild and laboratory
rodents, animal models
Expertise
Our veterinary pathologists work as a close-knit team
to provide a diagnostic pathology service, with specific
expertise in forensic pathology. They closely collaborate
with veterinary microbiology, parasitology and public
health experts.
The team also manages a suite of veterinary
laboratory services (VLS), which incorporate a range of
high standard laboratories for: histology, transmission
electron microscopy, microbiology and parasitology.
These pathology services are used by other University
staff and external clinics, practices and external clients.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Post-mortem facilities – for full diagnostic and
research post-mortem examinations
•
Strong expertise and experience in forensic
pathology
•
Laboratory facilities for diagnostic examinations of
surgical biopsies and cytological specimens
•
Research and diagnostic quality controlled
laboratories:
--
Histology laboratories (light microscopy including
immunohistology, immunofluorescence and in
situ hybridisation)
--
Microbiology laboratories (bacteriology, PCR
diagnostics, bacterial typing)
--
Parasitology laboratories (parasitological
screening including serological tests, parasite
identification, forensic entomology)
--
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
laboratories.
•
Experimental and laboratory animal pathology
(
including applied phenotyping of genetically
manipulated mice)
•
Diagnostic veterinary pathology service – diagnostic
pathological examinations on whole animals,
tissues or biopsies and cytological specimens
including forensic cases
•
Expert witness services
•
Transmission electron microscopy.
