Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. M. Ahbara, M. Rouatbi, M. Gharbi, M. Rekik, A. Haile, B. Rischkowsky, J. M. Mwacharo
Summary: The study revealed that traditionally managed indigenous sheep have evolved multiple strategies to combat gastrointestinal nematode infections, including enhancing resistance and developing defense mechanisms. Through molecular research, multiple potential genetic mechanisms were discovered, which contribute to understanding the resistance and developmental stability of these sheep.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Nur Nasuha Hafidi, Jaclyn Swan, Pierre Faou, Rohan Lowe, Harinda Rajapaksha, Callum Cairns, Michael Stear, Travis Beddoe
Summary: Teladorsagia circumcincta is a major gastrointestinal parasite in the livestock industry in temperate regions worldwide, with its excretory-secretory molecules potentially playing critical roles in modulating host immune responses. Among these molecules, Tci-gal-1 protein interacts with host proteins to provide new insights into host-parasite interactions and potential control strategies.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jalal Aliabadi, Ehsan Rakhshandehroo, Azadeh Yektaseresht
Summary: This study demonstrated that the indirect ELISA method using ES content can effectively distinguish T. circumcincta infected sheep with high specificity. Immunogenic fractions with specific molecular weights were detected in the somatic content and excretory/secretory material using western blot analysis.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Elora Valderas-Garcia, Jennifer de la Vega, Maria Alvarez Bardon, Veronica Castilla Gomez de Aguero, Ricardo Escarcena, Jose Luis Lopez-Perez, Francisco A. Rojo-Vazquez, Arturo San Feliciano, Esther del Olmo, Rafael Balana-Fouce, Maria Martinez-Valladares
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy of various derivatives against Gastrointestinal nematodes, with diamine 30 showing the best results in preventing egg hatching and diamine 34 showing the highest efficacy in inhibiting larval migration.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jennifer McIntyre, Laura Miskell, Eric R. Morgan, Fiona Lovatt, Roz Laing
Summary: This study investigated the use and effectiveness of moxidectin against gastrointestinal nematodes among Scottish sheep farmers. The results showed that although the majority of farmers used moxidectin, there was variation in their knowledge levels, and most farmers did not consistently follow the guidelines for sustainable control of parasites.
Article
Parasitology
Tara Perez-Hernandez, Yolanda Corripio-Miyar, Julia N. Hernandez, Cynthia Machin, Yania Paz-Sanchez, Adam D. Hayward, Harry W. Wright, Daniel R. G. Price, Jacqueline B. Matthews, Tom N. McNeilly, Alasdair J. Nisbet, Jorge F. Gonzalez
Summary: This study investigated the enhancement of resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection in CHB lambs by immunizing them with a T. circumcincta prototype recombinant vaccine after weaning. The results showed that vaccinated CHB lambs had better protection against infection, with reduced egg shedding, lower worm burden, and altered immune response compared to unvaccinated control lambs.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Cynthia Machin, Yolanda Corripio-Miyar, Julia N. Hernandez, Tara Perez-Hernandez, Adam D. Hayward, Harry W. Wright, Daniel R. G. Price, Jacqueline B. Matthews, Tom N. McNeilly, Alasdair J. Nisbet, Jorge F. Gonzalez
Summary: A recombinant sub-unit vaccine for Teladorsagia circumcincta showed protective effects in a susceptible sheep breed by enhancing antigen-specific antibodies and cellular immune responses. In a more resistant sheep breed, the vaccine did not significantly impact parasitological parameters, but may have had an effect through increasing mucosal T cell activation. These findings could be useful for improving the current vaccine prototype.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Paulius Baltrusis, Peter Halvarsson, Johan Hoglund
Summary: This study used three different bioinformatic pipelines to analyze the amplicon sequencing data of nematodes in sheep fecal samples to determine species composition and richness. The results showed that the three pipelines produced nearly identical outcomes and identified Haemonchus contortus as the primary parasite causing anthelmintic resistance in Swedish sheep farms.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Veronica Castilla-Gomez de Aguero, Jorge F. Gonzalez, Julia N. Hernandez, Elora Valderas-Garcia, Francisco A. Rojo Vazquez, Juan Jose Arranz, Beatriz Gutierrez-Gil, Maria Martinez-Valladares
Summary: This study identified different early immune response patterns, including specific IgA levels and correlations between specific cells (such as gamma delta T cells and eosinophils), in resistant and susceptible groups to Teladorsagia circumcincta infection in Churra sheep.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Francesca Shepherd, Caroline Chylinski, Michael R. Hutchings, Joana Lima, Ross Davidson, Robert Kelly, Alastair Macrae, Juha-Pekka Salminen, Marica T. Engstrom, Veronika Maurer, Havard Steinshamn, Susanne Fittje, Angela Morell Perez, Rocio Rosa Garcia, Spiridoula Athanasiadou
Summary: This study found that heather, a commonly found plant in Europe, has anthelmintic properties and can potentially contribute to sustainable GIN control in ruminant production systems. The anthelmintic activity of heather is associated with the presence of specific polyphenol subgroups, including proanthocyanidins and flavonol derivatives.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Marina Papaiakovou, D. Timothy J. Littlewood, Stephen R. Doyle, Robin B. Gasser, Cinzia Cantacessi
Summary: This article evaluates the strengths and limitations of existing methods for diagnosing gastrointestinal helminth infections in humans and animals. It also explores the use of high-throughput sequencing approaches to define the taxonomic composition of these infections. Additionally, the article discusses the interactions between helminths and microbiota in the host gut.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Damien M. O'Halloran
Summary: Glutamate-gated chloride channels are a protein family that are activated by glutamate and serve as targets for antiparasitic drugs. Analysis of a database of predicted glutamate-gated chloride subunit genes from various nematode species revealed patterns of gene count and sequence diversity.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Adam Sarah, Pratiksha Khanal, Larry D. Holler, Susan W. Holler, Michael B. Hildreth
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of anthelmintic treatment on a sheep population in North America, showing that resistant worm populations can be significantly reduced in cold climates through effective treatment, and introducing susceptible worm populations can accelerate the decline of resistant worm populations.
SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wei Liu, Tom N. McNeilly, Mairi Mitchell, Stewart T. G. Burgess, Alasdair J. Nisbet, Jacqueline B. Matthews, Simon A. Babayan
Summary: Individuals vary in their response to vaccination and infection, and different age groups have different immune pathways. Vaccination induces changes in pre-infection immune profiles and reduces parasite burden post-infection. Age affects the immune response to infection in lambs.
Article
Parasitology
Leire Ortega, Jessica Quesada, Antonio Ruiz, Maria Magnolia Conde-Felipe, Otilia Ferrer, Francisco Rodriguez, Jose Manuel Molina
Summary: The study investigated the local immune response of goat kids infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta, revealing a complex Th2 type immune response characterized by effector cell infiltration in abomasal tissues and specific antibodies development. Cellular immune responses were observed from 1 week post-infection onwards, with an increase in antigen-presenting cells and various lymphocyte subsets in the gastric mucosa. The study also found negative associations between the number of immune cells and parameters related to parasite fecundity, particularly evident at 8 weeks post-infection.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Saeid Nikbin, Fazel Almasi, Dalal Alenizi, Caitlin Jenvey, Sarah Sloan, Sarah Preston, David Piedrafita, Nicholas Jonsson, Michael Stear
Summary: Bayesian modeling was used to estimate the heritability of egg counts of Nematodirus battus, a serious threat to young lambs. The results showed that there was no convincing evidence of heritability in the variation of egg counts, making selective breeding for resistance difficult.
Review
Parasitology
Peter Holdsworth, Steffen Rehbein, Nicholas N. Jonsson, Rose Peter, Jozef Vercruysse, Josephus Fourie
Summary: This second edition guideline aims to assist investigators in conducting studies on ectoparasites of ruminants, provide specific information for registration authorities, facilitate the approval and registration of new ectoparasiticides, and promote the worldwide adoption of standard procedures.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
H. J. Ferguson, H. H. C. Koh-Tan, P. E. J. Johnston, R. J. Wallace, I. Andonovic, C. Michie, C. A. McCartney, E. M. Strachan, T. J. Snelling, C. D. Harvey, W. Thomson, N. N. Jonsson
Summary: This study aimed to describe the microscopic findings of ruminal epithelium in cattle fed diverse dietary cereal proportions and to test a new scoring system. The distribution of immune-related cells in the ruminal epithelium was found to be associated with cereal intake, and the thickness of the ruminal epithelium and cell sloughing were related to the level of cereal supplementation.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yixin Huang, Richard Burchmore, Nicholas N. Jonsson, Paul C. D. Johnson, P. David Eckersall
Summary: The use of in-gel sample preparation in proteomics can enhance the identification of proteins in bovine faecal samples, by removing high molecular weight glycoproteins and increasing the number of peptides identified. This method has the potential to increase our understanding of host responses to changes such as diet, disease, and drug-treatment.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Berta Grau-Pujol, Javier Gandasegui, Valdemiro Escola, Helena Marti-Soler, Maria Cambra-Pelleja, Maria Demontis, Eric A. T. Brienen, Jose Carlos Jamine, Osvaldo Muchisse, Anelsio Cossa, Charfudin Sacoor, Jorge Cano, Lisette Van Lieshout, Maria Martinez-Valladares, Jose Munoz
Summary: This study evaluated the treatment response to albendazole for STH in Southern Mozambique and examined the presence of benzimidazole resistance SNPs in whipworm and hookworm. Although treatment response was low, particularly for whipworm, there was no increase in resistance SNPs after treatment.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Elora Valderas-Garcia, Cecile Haberli, Maria Alvarez-Bardon, Nerea Escala, Veronica Castilla-Gomez de Aguero, Jennifer de la Vega, Esther del Olmo, Rafael Balana-Fouce, Jennifer Keiser, Maria Martinez-Valladares
Summary: This study evaluated the potential anthelmintic activity of three series of compounds against two gastrointestinal nematodes. Two compounds showed activity against the adult stage of the parasites, suggesting they could be a starting point for further compound synthesis.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elora Valderas-Garcia, Nerea Escala, Maria Alvarez-Bardon, Veronica Castilla-Gomez de Aguero, Maria Cambra-Pelleja, Laura Gonzalez del Palacio, Raquel Vallejo Garcia, Jennifer de la Vega, Arturo San Feliciano, Esther del Olmo, Maria Martinez-Valladares, Rafael Balana-Fouce
Summary: The control of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock is becoming increasingly difficult due to limited drug options and the development of resistance. In this study, the potential toxicity and anthelmintic efficacy of three compounds were tested in mice and Mongolian gerbils infected with Haemonchus contortus. The benzimidazole derivative, 2aBZ, showed promising results in reducing the percentage of pre-adults in gerbil stomachs and the number of eggs shed in sheep feces. Overall, 2aBZ could be considered a promising candidate for the treatment of helminth infections in small ruminants.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Veronica Castilla Gomez de Aguero, Cristina Esteban-Blanco, Hector Arguello, Elora Valderas-Garcia, Sonia Andres, Rafael Balana-Fouce, Juan Jose Arranz, Beatriz Gutierrez-Gil, Maria Martinez-Valladares
Summary: Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) pose a major threat to the health and welfare of small ruminants worldwide. This study found that the composition of the microbiome may be associated with the resistance of sheep to infection by GIN.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ali Raza, Benjamin L. Schulz, Amanda Nouwens, Muhammad Noman Naseem, Muhammad Kamran, Emily F. Mantilla F. Valdivieso, Edward D. Kerr, Constantin Constantinoiu, Nicholas N. Jonsson, Peter James, Ala E. Tabor
Summary: Quantitative proteomics was used to analyze the differential abundance of serum and skin proteins in tick-resistant and tick-susceptible Brangus cattle. The study found that tick-resistant cattle had higher levels of proteins associated with immune response, blood coagulation, and wound healing compared to tick-susceptible cattle. These proteins may play a crucial role in protecting against tick infestation by promoting immune response and wound healing.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giovanni Capuzzello, Lorenzo Viora, Elena Borelli, Nicholas N. Jonsson
Summary: This observational study aimed to describe the diurnal pattern of reticuloruminal contraction rate (RRCR) and the proportion of time spent ruminating by cattle, using two commercial devices equipped with triaxial accelerometers: an indwelling bolus (placed in the reticulum) and a neck collar. The three objectives of this study were firstly to determine whether the indwelling bolus provided observations consistent with RRCR as determined by clinical examination using auscultation and ultrasound, secondly to compare estimates of time spent ruminating using the indwelling bolus and a collar-based accelerometer, and finally to describe the diurnal pattern of RRCR using the indwelling bolus data.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlos Garcia-Estrada, Yolanda Perez-Pertejo, Barbara Dominguez-Asenjo, Vanderlan Nogueira Holanda, Sankaranarayanan Murugesan, Maria Martinez-Valladares, Rafael Balana-Fouce, Rosa M. Reguera
Summary: Due to the lack of specific vaccines, neglected tropical diseases caused by trypanosomatids, such as sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, rely solely on pharmacological treatments. The current drugs have drawbacks including adverse effects, parenteral administration, chemical instability, and high costs. However, the discovery of new drugs for these diseases is rare due to the lack of interest from big pharmaceutical companies. Nitroheterocyclic compounds, such as benznidazole and nifurtimox, have provided potent effects against Chagas disease, and fexinidazole has been developed as a new drug against African trypanosomiasis. Despite being initially discarded due to their mutagenic potential, nitroheterocycles now show promise as a source of inspiration for developing oral drugs to replace existing ones.
Article
Microbiology
Javier Merino Goyenechea, Veronica Castilla Gomez de Agueero, Jesus Palacios Alberti, Rafael Balana Fouce, Maria Martinez Valladares
Summary: Canine leishmaniasis is a major protozoan disease in dogs, caused by Leishmania infantum, which leads to severe health deterioration. The disease is highly prevalent in Spain, especially in coastal regions, but its presence has been spreading to other areas and cases have been reported in wildlife. This study documents the presence of wolves infected with leishmaniasis in the Sierra de la Culebra in northwestern Spain using PCR amplification of L. infantum DNA from various non-invasive samples. The positivity rate was found to be 46.1% regardless of the origin of the samples.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Y. Huang, N. N. Jonsson, M. McLaughlin, R. Burchmore, P. C. D. Johnson, R. O. Jones, S. McGill, N. Brady, S. Weidt, P. D. Eckersall
Summary: This study aimed to assess the proteome of bovine faeces and determine the origin of its component proteins, as well as the effect of treating barley with ammonia or sodium propionate preservative. Proteomic analysis identified 281 bovine proteins, 199 barley proteins, 176 bacterial proteins, and 190 archaeal proteins in the faeces. Bovine proteins included mucosal pentraxin, albumin, and digestive enzymes, while the most abundant barley protein was serpin Z4. Different bacterial and archaeal proteins were also identified. Significant differences in protein abundance were observed between the groups.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Veronica Castilla Gomez de Aguero, Elora Valderas-Garcia, Laura Gonzalez del Palacio, F. Javier Giraldez, Rafael Balana-Fouce, Maria Martinez-Valladares
Summary: The goal of this study was to characterize IgA levels in naturally infected sheep of different breeds and explore their association with infection risk, age, and breed. Results showed that age was the determinant factor for infection risk, while breed had no impact. In addition, nasal secretions exhibited high sensitivity in detecting infection, especially in young animals.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Giovanni Capuzzello, Joana Goncalves Pontes Jacinto, Irene Monika Haefliger, Gail E. Chapman, Sara Soto Martin, Lorenzo Viora, Nicholas N. Jonsson, Cord Droegemueller
Summary: This study reports a case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) in cattle, in which a novel variant in the EDA gene was identified using whole-genome sequencing. The findings suggest that this variant is the genetic cause for the observed phenotype. This case highlights the potential of using whole-genome sequencing for precise diagnostics in livestock species such as cattle.
ACTA VETERINARIA SCANDINAVICA
(2022)
