100 Questions in Livestock Helminthology Research

Abstract

An elicitation exercise was conducted to collect and identify pressing questions concerning the study of helminths in livestock, to help guide research priorities. Questions were invited from the research community in an inclusive way. Of 385 questions submitted, 100 were chosen by online vote, with priority given to open questions in important areas that are specific enough to permit investigation within a focused project or programme of research. The final list of questions was divided into ten themes. We present the questions and set them briefly in the context of the current state of knowledge. Although subjective, results provide a snapshot of current concerns and perceived priorities in the field of livestock helminthology, and we hope will stimulate ongoing or new research efforts.

A Qualitative Market Analysis Applied to Mini-FLOTAC and Fill-FLOTAC for Diagnosis of Helminth Infections in Ruminants

“…In fact, Precision Livestock Farming (i.e., the application of process engineering principles and techniques to livestock farming to automatically monitor, model and manage animal production) is now a reality in different settings (36,37). Based on this strategy, it is fundamental to promote also a "Precision Parasitology, " using best practices of diagnosis and control of livestock helminths also to reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming, which is one of the main goals of the Precision Livestock Farming concept (38,39).…”

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, Iran

“…This is a prerequisite for the planning and implementation of interventions (4). Questionnaire surveys of ruminant gastrointestinal nematode management practices have helped to inform our understanding the factors that influence farmers' behaviors in different specific regions (2,(5)(6)(7)(8). This insight is necessary in order to optimize communication strategies and to improve compliance with specialist advice.…”

“…This insight is necessary in order to optimize communication strategies and to improve compliance with specialist advice. However, the factors that drive farmers' decisions concerning sustainable helminth management will differ according to the society to which they belong (8).…”

Helminth Vaccines in Ruminants

“…In contrast, helminth transmission models can be a useful tool for evaluating different scenarios in silico, and to select the most promising (combinations of) control methods for field testing. 41,42 Barnes and colleagues 43 modeled the population dynamics of Trichostrongylus colubriformis in sheep to predict the effect of different vaccines on worm population dynamics in grazing lambs. They concluded that, with vaccines based on conventional antigens, substantial benefits can be obtained with a decrease of 60% in larval establishment in 80% of the flock.…”

“…2 The sustainability of vaccines, like anthelmintics, will depend on parasite evolution, and the ability of helminths to develop resistance to vaccine-induced host responses remains an open question. 41 Vaccines containing multiple antigens of a single parasite species could slow down adaptation of the parasites to the vaccine, such as an experimental Teladorsagia vaccine in sheep that comprises multiple recombinant proteins. 14,16 The effect of the level and duration of vaccine efficacy on parasite transmission and animal productivity and the combined use of vaccines and other control methods in different management systems and climate regions should be simulated using mathematical models to inform vaccine developers and regulatory authorities about possible outcome scenarios.…”