Collaborative outputs supporting teaching, research and practice
LVPD have continued to support ongoing research on Phortica variegata, the vector for Thelazia callipaeda.
Jennifer Palfreyman, a current Liverpool BVSc undergraduate, completed her Wellcome Trust Vacation Studentship on Phortica variegata in the UK, and findings have been published in Parasites and Vectors.
Jennifer was subsequently invited to present this work at the British Society for Parasitology, and was also awarded the prestigious Kennel Club International Canine Health Student Inspiration Award to continue this research, in conjunction with LVPD.
Based on the data collected, a model was created to predict the distribution of Phortica variegata in the UK. Subsequently, extensive work was carried out between May and September 2018 in the New Forest and other model-predicted locations, to assess the prevalence of Phortica variegata. Results of the new study will be published in 2019.
In light of our on-going work in this area, a dedicated Thelazia callipaeda webpage has been created to share the latest developments.
In other work, LVPD also reported on a case of lethal cysticercosis in a pet rabbit.