GLOWORM-PARA: a flexible framework to simulate the population dynamics of the parasitic phase of gastrointestinal nematodes infecting grazing livestock.

GLOWORM-PARA: a flexible framework to simulate the population dynamics of the parasitic phase of gastrointestinal nematodes infecting grazing livestock. Int J Parasitol. 2020 Jan 22;: Authors: Rose Vineer H, Verschave SH, Claerebout E, Vercruysse J, Shaw DJ, Charlier J, Morgan ER Abstract Gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes are a significant threat to the economic and environmental sustainability of keeping livestock, as adequate control becomes increasingly difficult due to the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in some systems and climate-driven changes to infection dynamics. To mitigate any negative impacts of climate on GI nematode epidemiology and slow AR development, there is a need to develop effective, targeted control strategies that minimise the unnecessary use of anthelmintic drugs and incorporate alternative strategies such as vaccination and evasive grazing. However, the impacts climate and GI nematode epidemiology may have on the optimal control strategy are generally not considered, due to lack of available evidence to drive recommendations. Parasite transmission models can support control strategy evaluation to target field trials, thus reducing the resources and lead-time required to develop evidence-based control recommendations incorporating climate stochasticity. GI nematode population dynamics arising from natural infections have been difficult to replicate and model applications have often focussed on the f...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology - Category: Parasitology Authors: Tags: Int J Parasitol Source Type: research