A new approach to understanding and controlling anthelmintic resistance of the equine roundworm
Participants
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Short summary
The equine roundworm is a large parasitic roundworm infecting horses, pigs, poultry and humans. The fact that the it has developed resistance to two of three types of anthelmintic available is extremely worrying.
Background
Intestinal worms that have developed resistance to deworming drugs are a major animal welfare concern. Resistance means that a parasite survives a dose of medicine that would normally be lethal. There is currently a lack of knowledge about how resistance to deworming drugs develops.
Objective
The main objective of the project is to increase the knowledge of how roundworms develop resistance to deworming agents and to identify possible genetic markers for the development of resistance.
Implementation of the project
The project will develop a model system using another roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), which can be easily kept in a laboratory environment. Genes from the roundworm will be transferred to C. elegans, making it possible to study how genes from the horse roundworm work.
Collaboration
In addition to the participants from SLU, the research group also includes:
- Staffan Svärd, Uppsala University
- Andrea Hinas, Uppsala University