ABSTRACT
The Discovery to Innovation in Animal Health Conference (DIAH) was organised to bridge the gap between early developers, including academia, regulators, research organizations, and spin-offs/start-ups on one side, and medium-to large-sized companies on the other. The DIAH Conference confronted and aligned vision from academia, industry and regulators, emphasizing the need for early collaboration, careful IP management, and strategic planning for successful product development and partnerships. Recent breakthroughs in vaccinology have not only accelerated the vaccine production process but have also improved antigen quality significantly. These novel technologies are likely to transform vaccine development and play a crucial role in addressing both immediate health challenges (such as cancer vaccines) and ensuring preparedness for future pandemics. The potential and pitfalls of leveraging AI to drive forward R&I activities in the field of animal health were also discussed. Researchers and entrepreneurs looking for collaboration or investment presented a series of new technologies and start-ups, respectively. A market analysis showed that the animal health industry, while highly consolidated, also shows great diversity, ranging from big pharma to companies offering diagnostics, nutritional health services, wearables, feed additives, animal feed and genetic analyses. An analysis of the investment landscape, although subject to external factors, showed that the chances for success are high when good science, a well established regulatory pathways, with a clearly defined market need can be combined with experienced management and a strong investor consortium.
ABSTRACT
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock production must be urgently tackled to substantially reduce their contribution to global warming. Simply reducing livestock numbers to this end risks impacting negatively on food security, rural livelihoods and climate change adaptation. We argue that significant mitigation of livestock emissions can be delivered immediately by improving animal health and hence production efficiency, but this route is not prioritized because its benefits, although intuitive, are poorly quantified. Rigorous methodology must be developed to estimate emissions from animal disease and hence achievable benefits from improved health through interventions. If, as expected, climate change is to affect the distribution and severity of health conditions, such quantification becomes of even greater importance. We have therefore developed a framework and identified data sources for robust quantification of the relationship between animal health and greenhouse gas emissions, which could be applied to drive and account for positive action. This will not only help mitigate climate change but at the same time promote cost-effective food production and enhanced animal welfare, a rare win-win in the search for a sustainable planetary future.
Subject(s)
Climate Change , Greenhouse Gases , Livestock , Animals , Greenhouse Gases/analysis , Animal Husbandry/methods , Global Warming , Animal WelfareABSTRACT
The last decades have witnessed an increase in the global population and movements of companion animals, contributing to changes in density and distribution of pet parasites. Control of companion animal parasites (CAPs) becomes increasingly relevant because of the intensifying human-animal bond. Parasites impact on the health of humans and their pets, but also of wildlife and the environment. We conducted a qualitative review on the current advancements, gaps and priorities for the monitoring and treatment of CAPs with a focus on securing public health. There is a need to raise awareness, coordinate global surveillance schemes and better quantify the impact of companion animal parasites on One Health.
ABSTRACT
Toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonotic infection caused by Toxocara spp., ascarid nematodes of companion animals (dogs and cats) affecting people in both high-income and low/middle-income countries. Toxocariasis can manifest as several distinct syndromes. The most frequent, often termed common toxocariasis, is a self-limiting and mild febrile illness. Ocular and visceral larva migrans are severe disease manifestations affecting the eye and other internal organs, respectively, but their reported occurrence is rare. The vast majority of symptomatic cases are thought due to common toxocariasis, which has also been associated with cognitive impairment in children. Few studies to date have sought to quantity the health burden of toxocariasis in humans. In this study we provide a preliminary estimation using the Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) approach. We estimate a total of 23,084 DALYs are lost annually in 28 selected countries due to common toxocariasis. Extrapolating based on a global average seroprevalence rate of 19%, we estimate 91,714 DALYs per year are lost across all countries due to toxocariasis, of which 40,912 are attributable to less severe forms, i.e. common toxocariasis, and 50,731 to cognitive impairment in children. Clinically diagnosed and reported ocular and visceral larva migrans represent a small proportion of estimated total health burden. We also found a positive correlation at national level between prevalence in cats or dogs and seroprevalence in humans, but no correlation between estimated soil contamination and seroprevalence in humans. Finally, we estimate the potential economic impact of toxocariasis in selected countries at 2.5 billion USD per annum, from costs of medical treatment and lost income. These preliminary estimates should serve as a call to action for further research and evidence-based measures to tackle toxocariasis.
ABSTRACT
Helminth infections in grazing ruminants are a major issue for livestock farming globally, but are unavoidable in outdoor grazing systems and must be effectively managed to avoid deleterious effects to animal health, and productivity. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are transforming our understanding of the genetic basis of anthelmintic resistance (AR) and epidemiological studies of ruminant gastrointestinal parasites. They also have the potential to not only help develop and validate molecular diagnostic tests but to be directly used in routine diagnostics integrating species-specific identification and AR into a single test. Here, we review how these developments have opened the pathway for the development of multi-AR and multispecies identification in a single test, with widespread implications for sustainable livestock farming for the future.
Subject(s)
Helminthiasis, Animal , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Ruminants , Animals , Ruminants/parasitology , Helminthiasis, Animal/diagnosis , Helminthiasis, Animal/parasitology , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods , Helminths/genetics , Drug Resistance/geneticsABSTRACT
The O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA assay is widely used as a diagnostic tool for monitoring gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes using milk samples from adult dairy cows. This assay is potentially also useful to analyse serum samples from first-season grazing (FSG) calves, providing a more cost-effective and robust diagnostic technique than the current serum pepsinogen assay. However, a comprehensive evaluation of its use in serum samples from FSG calves has not yet been conducted. In this study, we first reviewed the available scientific literature in which the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA was applied to serum samples from FSG calves. Then, a field study was conducted to compare results from the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA assay with a serum pepsinogen assay on a set of 230 serum samples from 11 commercial dairy herds (seven in Belgium and four in Sweden). The literature review showed an increase in mean antibody levels, expressed as optical density ratio (ODR) values, from <0.4 (early grazing season) to values of 0.7-1.1 (late grazing season). Three out of five studies found a negative correlation between O. ostertagi antibody levels measured during the late grazing season and weight gain, while the other two studies found no correlation between the two variables. Our field studies showed a good correlation between O. ostertagi antibody levels and the results from the pepsinogen assay. Both indicators were negatively related to average daily weight gain in the Belgian herds, but not in the Swedish herds. Overall, the results suggest that the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA test can be a useful tool in FSG calves and could replace the use of the serum pepsinogen assay at the end of the grazing season for general monitoring purposes.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics , Ruminants , Animals , Anthelmintics/pharmacology , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Drug ResistanceABSTRACT
To mitigate emerging anthelmintic resistance (AR) in cattle, sustainable gastrointestinal nematode control strategies should be adopted. A multi-centre study was set up to understand the factors affecting European dairy cattle farmers' adoption of diagnostics and to gauge for differences between regions. The data were collected through a multi-lingual survey by participating countries of the European Co-operation in Science and Technology (COST) action COMbatting Anthelmintic Resistance in ruminants (COMBAR). Four countries provided sufficient data to be included in the data analysis: Norway, Italy, Germany and Austria. Three models were estimated and validated through structural equation modelling. Norway, along with Germany and Austria (pooled dataset) showed similar trends that align with previous studies. AR risk perception had no influence on the adoption intention of diagnostics, a positive influence was found for attitude towards diagnostics and subjective norms (i.e., perceived opinion of others), and a negative influence of attitudes towards anthelminthics. Additionally, routine (i.e., perception of the current treatment) had an indirect effect on adoption intention through attitudes. Italy's data deviated from these findings, presenting a positive effect of the perceived severity of AR, and perceived behavioural control (i.e., perceived ability to perform a specific behaviour) on adoption intention of diagnostics. Finally, Norway's data set allowed for inclusion of a measurement of current behaviour in the model, identifying a direct positive effect of the perceived actual behaviour of other farmers on their own behaviour.
Title: Comprendre l'adoption des diagnostics pour le contrôle durable des nématodes gastro-intestinaux par les producteurs laitiers européens : une étude transversale multi-pays. Abstract: Pour atténuer la résistance émergente aux anthelminthiques (RA) chez les bovins, des stratégies durables de contrôle des nématodes gastro-intestinaux devraient être adoptées. Une étude multicentrique a été réalisée pour comprendre les facteurs affectant l'adoption des diagnostics par les éleveurs de bovins laitiers européens, et pour évaluer les différences entre les régions. Les données ont été recueillies au moyen d'une enquête multilingue menée par les pays participants à l'action de European Co-operation in Science and Technology (COST) COMbatting Anthelmintic Resistance in ruminants (COMBAR). Quatre pays ont collecté suffisamment de données pour être inclus dans l'analyse statistique : la Norvège, l'Italie, l'Allemagne et l'Autriche. Trois modèles ont été estimés et validés par modélisation d'équations structurelles. La Norvège, et d'autre part l'Allemagne et l'Autriche (données regroupées) ont montré des tendances similaires qui correspondent aux études précédentes. La perception de la RA n'avait aucune influence sur l'intention d'adoption des diagnostics, une influence positive a été trouvée pour l'attitude envers les diagnostics et les normes subjectives (c'est-à-dire l'opinion perçue des autres), et une influence négative des attitudes envers les anthelminthiques. De plus, la routine (c'est-à-dire la perception du traitement actuel) a eu un effet indirect sur l'intention d'adoption par le biais des attitudes. Les données de l'Italie s'écartaient des résultats précédents, présentant un effet positif de la gravité perçue du risque de la RA, et du contrôle comportemental perçu (c'est-à-dire la capacité perçue à adopter un comportement spécifique) sur l'intention d'adoption de diagnostic. Enfin, l'ensemble de données de la Norvège a permis d'inclure une mesure du comportement actuel dans le modèle, identifiant un effet positif direct du comportement réel perçu des autres agriculteurs sur son propre comportement.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics , Cattle Diseases , Nematoda , Animals , Cattle , Humans , Farmers , Cross-Sectional Studies , Cattle Diseases/diagnosis , Cattle Diseases/drug therapy , Cattle Diseases/prevention & control , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Surveys and Questionnaires , Anthelmintics/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Helminth infections of cattle place significant burdens on livestock production and farm economic efficiency. Heavy infections are relatively easy to detect and treat with anthelmintics. However, subclinical infections have major but often hidden impacts on animals, necessitating more refined diagnostics to detect them and ideally inform farmers about the likely impact of anthelmintic treatment on animal and herd performance. Here, we review recent advances in diagnosing three major cattle helminth infections - gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs), liver flukes, and lungworms - and the search for subclinical infection thresholds to guide treatment decisions. Combining refined diagnostic thresholds with farm-specific information on grazing systems and animal history enables farmers to tailor helminth treatments to specific epidemiological circumstances, thereby limiting anthelmintic resistance (AR) and boosting agricultural efficiency and food security.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics , Cattle Diseases , Fascioliasis , Helminths , Nematoda , Nematode Infections , Animals , Cattle , Asymptomatic Infections , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Fascioliasis/drug therapy , Cattle Diseases/diagnosis , Cattle Diseases/drug therapy , Nematode Infections/diagnosis , Nematode Infections/drug therapy , Nematode Infections/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Animal health is a prerequisite for global health, economic development, food security, food quality, and poverty reduction, while mitigating against climate change and biodiversity loss. We did a qualitative review of 53 infectious diseases in terrestrial animals with data from DISCONTOOLS, a specialist database and prioritisation model focusing on research gaps for improving infectious disease control in animals. Many diseases do not have any appropriate control tools, but the prioritisation model suggests that we should focus international efforts on Nipah virus infection, African swine fever, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, peste des petits ruminants, sheeppox and goatpox, avian influenza, Rift Valley fever, foot and mouth disease, and bovine tuberculosis, for the greatest impact on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Easy to use and accurate diagnostics are available for many animal diseases. However, there is an urgent need for the development of stable and durable diagnostics that can differentiate infected animals from vaccinated animals, to exploit rapid technological advances, and to make diagnostics widely available and affordable. Veterinary vaccines are important for dealing with endemic, new, and emerging diseases. However, fundamental research is needed to improve the convenience of use and duration of immunity, and to establish performant marker vaccines. The largest gap in animal pharmaceuticals is the threat of pathogens developing resistance to available drugs, in particular for bacterial and parasitic (protozoal, helminth, and arthropod) pathogens. We propose and discuss five research priorities for animal health that will help to deliver a sustainable and healthy planet: vaccinology, antimicrobial resistance, climate mitigation and adaptation, digital health, and epidemic preparedness.
Subject(s)
African Swine Fever , Anti-Infective Agents , Vaccines , Animals , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Public Health , Swine , Vaccines, MarkerABSTRACT
Increasing anthelmintic resistance (AR) in livestock has stimulated growing efforts to monitor anthelmintic effectiveness (AE) on livestock farms. On-farm assessment of AE relies on measuring the reduction in faecal egg count (FEC) following treatment; and if conducted rigorously, qualifies as a formal FEC reduction test (FECRT) for AR. Substantial research effort has been devoted to designing robust protocols for the FECRT and its statistical interpretation; however, a wide range of factors other than AR can affect FEC reduction on farms. These are not always possible to control, and can affect the outcome and repeatability of AE measurements and confound the on-farm classification of AR using FECRT. This review considers confounders of FEC reduction, focusing on gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants, including host and parasite physiology and demography; pharmacokinetic variation between drugs, parasites and hosts; and technical performance. Drug formulation and delivery, host condition and diet, and seasonal variation in parasite species composition, can all affect AE and hence observed FEC reduction. Causes of variation in FEC reduction should be attenuated, but this is not always possible. Regular monitoring of AE can indicate a need to improve anthelmintic administration practices, and detect AR early in its progression. Careful interpretation of FEC reduction, however, taking into account possible confounders, is essential before attributing reduced FEC reduction to AR. Understanding of confounders of FEC reduction will complement advances in FECRT design and interpretation to provide measures of anthelmintic efficacy that are both rigorous and accessible.
Title: Facteurs de confusion affectant la réduction du nombre d'Åufs fécaux comme mesure de l'efficacité anthelminthique. Abstract: L'augmentation de la résistance aux anthelminthiques (RA) chez le bétail a stimulé des efforts croissants pour mesurer l'efficacité des anthelminthiques (EA) dans les élevages. L'évaluation à la ferme de l'EA repose sur la mesure de la réduction du nombre d'Åufs dans les selles (NOS) après le traitement ; si effectué rigoureusement, celui-ci est qualifié de test formel de réduction du NOS (TFRNOS) pour la RA. Des efforts de recherche substantiels ont été consacrés à la conception de protocoles robustes pour le TFRNOS et son interprétation statistique, mais un large éventail de facteurs autres que la RA peuvent affecter la réduction du NOS dans les exploitations. Ces facteurs ne sont pas toujours contrôlables et peuvent affecter le résultat et la répétabilité des mesures de l'EA et introduire de la confusion dans la classification à la ferme de la RA à l'aide de la TFRNOS. Cette revue examine les facteurs de confusion de la réduction du NOS, en se concentrant sur les nématodes gastro-intestinaux des ruminants, et considère la physiologie et la démographie de l'hôte et du parasite, la variation pharmacocinétique entre les médicaments, les parasites et les hôtes, et les performances techniques. La formulation et l'administration de médicaments, la condition et le régime alimentaire de l'hôte, ainsi que les variations saisonnières de la composition des espèces de parasites, peuvent tous affecter l'EA et donc la réduction du NOS observé. Les causes de variation de la réduction du NOS doivent être atténuées, mais cela n'est pas toujours possible. Une surveillance régulière de l'EA peut indiquer la nécessité d'améliorer les pratiques d'administration des anthelminthiques et de détecter la RA au début de sa progression. Une interprétation prudente de la réduction du NOS, cependant, en tenant compte des facteurs de confusion possibles, est essentielle avant d'attribuer la réduction du NOS à la RA. La compréhension des facteurs de confusion d'une moindre réduction du NOS complétera les progrès sur la conception et l'interprétation du TFRNOS, pour fournir des mesures de l'efficacité des anthelminthiques à la fois rigoureuses et accessibles.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics , Nematoda , Animals , Anthelmintics/pharmacology , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Drug Resistance , Feces/parasitology , Parasite Egg Count/veterinaryABSTRACT
Previous studies have illustrated that different bioactive legume fodders containing condensed tannins might represent one of the options for integrated sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in ruminants, which may help address the worldwide development of resistance to synthetic anthelmintics. More recently, impetus has been given to assess the potential antiparasitic activity of less conventional resources, represented by different agro-industrial by-products (AIBPs). This review presents in vitro and in vivo results obtained with a range of tannin-containing AIBPs of various geographical and botanical origins, namely AIBP of nuts, temperate and tropical barks, carob, coffee and cocoa. They tend to confirm the "proof of concept" for their antiparasitic effects and also for other aspects of ruminant production in an agro-ecological context. Socio-economic aspects of the exploitation of such non-conventional resources are also discussed as potential models of the circular economy, by using waste. The different modes of use of these resources are presented in this review, as well as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analyses to illustrate the advantages and limitations of on-farm use.
TITLE: Utilisation de sous-produits agro-industriels contenant des tanins pour le contrôle intégré des nématodes gastro-intestinaux chez les ruminants. ABSTRACT: Plusieurs études antérieures ont illustré le fait que des légumineuses bioactives contenant des tannins condensés peuvent représenter une des alternatives à intégrer avec d'autres options pour une maitrise durable des nématodes gastro-intestinaux en réponse au développement constant et à l'expansion continue à l'échelle mondiale des résistances aux anthelminthiques de synthèse. Des recherches plus récentes se sont intéressées au potentiel d'application de ressources moins conventionnelles que représentent des coproduits agroindustriels (CPAI). Cette revue vise à présenter des résultats in vitro et in vivo obtenus avec une gamme de CPAI d'origines géographiques et botaniques diversifiées (coproduits de l'industrie des noix, du bois (en régions tempérées et tropicales), du caroubier, du café et du cacao). Ces résultats ont confirmé la preuve de concept pour les effets antiparasitaires, et aussi pour d'autres volets de la production des ruminants dans un contexte agro écologique de l'élevage. Par ailleurs, les aspects socio-économiques d'exploitation de ces ressources, considérées jusqu'à présent comme des déchets, dans un modèle de circuits courts sont aussi évoqués. Les avantages et inconvénients des différentes modalités d'exploitation des CPAI sont aussi discutés dans le cadre d'une analyse SWOT.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics , Nematoda , Proanthocyanidins , Animals , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Proanthocyanidins/pharmacology , Proanthocyanidins/therapeutic use , Ruminants/parasitology , Tannins/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Public research and innovation initiatives in animal health aim to deliver key knowledge, services and products that improve the control of animal infectious diseases and animal welfare to deliver on global challenges including public health threats, environmental concerns and food security. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a popular innovation policy instrument to monitor the maturity of upcoming new technologies in publicly funded research projects. However, while general definition of the 9 levels on the TRL-scale enable uniform discussions of technical maturity across different types of technology, these definitions are very generic which hampers concrete interpretation and application. Here, we aligned innovation pipeline stages as used in the animal health industry for the development of new vaccines or drugs with the TRL scale, resulting in TRL for animal health (TRLAH). This more bespoke scale can help to rationally allocate funding for animal health research from basic to applied research, map innovation processes, monitor progress and develop realistic progress expectations across the time span of a research and innovation project. The TRLAH thus become an interesting instrument to enhance the translation of public research results into industrial and societal innovation and foster public-private partnerships in animal health.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Strongylid nematode infections may negatively affect both animal health and welfare, with deleterious consequences for livestock productivity. Many farmers in recent decades have relied on anthelmintics as the sole strategy of control, but the intensive use of these chemotherapeutics has led to the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR). Knowledge of both the efficacy of anthelmintics and factors promoting AR are essential to effectively control nematode infections, but no information on these topics for goats in the Czech Republic (CR) is available. This survey aimed to determine the occurrence of AR at Czech goat farms and to identify risk factors for the development of AR. A total of 24 herds of dairy goats across the CR were evaluated using in vitro tests for detecting AR, and a questionnaire survey was carried out to evaluate factors associated with AR. RESULTS: Resistance against benzimidazoles was confirmed at 18 (75%) farms, and the level of resistance was high in four (22%) of the affected herds based on the egg hatch test. Ivermectin-resistant nematodes were detected in 13 (54%) herds using the larval development test; Teladorsagia/Trichostrongylus and Haemonchus were the predominant types of resistant larvae. Eight (62%) of the affected herds were evaluated as highly resistant to ivermectin. Eleven (46%) of the herds were resistant to both benzimidazoles and ivermectin. This report is the first on dual AR in the CR. A univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that a high stocking rate and farmer inexperience were significantly associated with ivermectin and benzimidazole resistance, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our survey suggest that AR is widespread amongst herds of dairy goats in the CR, likely due to inappropriate practices of pasture and health management. AR may be an issue for expanding dairy-goat production in the CR in the near future unless both veterinary practitioners and farmers widely adopt strategies to prevent the development of AR.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics/pharmacology , Drug Resistance , Goat Diseases/parasitology , Nematoda/drug effects , Nematode Infections/veterinary , Animals , Benzimidazoles , Czech Republic , Dairying/methods , Goat Diseases/drug therapy , Goats , Ivermectin , Larva , Nematoda/growth & development , Nematode Infections/drug therapy , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The Strategic Alliance for Research into Infectious Diseases of Animals and Zoonoses (STAR-IDAZ) International Research Consortium (IRC) coordinates global animal health research to accelerate delivery of disease control tools and strategies. With this vision, STAR-IDAZ IRC has constructed four generic research roadmaps for the development of candidate vaccines, diagnostic tests, therapeutics and control strategies for animal diseases. The roadmaps for vaccines, diagnostic tests and therapeutics lead towards a desired target product profile (TPP). These interactive roadmaps describe the building blocks and for each the key research questions, dependencies, challenges and possible solution routes to identify the basic research needed for translation to the TPP. The control strategies roadmap encompasses the vaccine, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic roadmaps within a wider framework focusing on the inter-dependence of multiple tools and knowledge to control diseases for the benefit of animal and human health. The roadmaps are now being completed for specific diseases and complemented by state-of-the-art information on relevant projects and publications to ensure that the necessary research gaps are addressed for selected priority diseases.
Subject(s)
Animal Diseases , Communicable Diseases/veterinary , Zoonoses , Animal Diseases/diagnosis , Animal Diseases/prevention & control , Animal Diseases/therapy , Animals , Communicable Disease Control/statistics & numerical data , Communicable Diseases/diagnosis , Communicable Diseases/therapy , Global Health , Zoonoses/diagnosis , Zoonoses/prevention & control , Zoonoses/therapyABSTRACT
Helminth infections are ubiquitous in grazing ruminant production systems, and are responsible for significant costs and production losses. Anthelmintic Resistance (AR) in parasites is now widespread throughout Europe, although there are still gaps in our knowledge in some regions and countries. AR is a major threat to the sustainability of modern ruminant livestock production, resulting in reduced productivity, compromised animal health and welfare, and increased greenhouse gas emissions through increased parasitism and farm inputs. A better understanding of the extent of AR in Europe is needed to develop and advocate more sustainable parasite control approaches. A database of European published and unpublished AR research on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) was collated by members of the European COST Action "COMBAR" (Combatting Anthelmintic Resistance in Ruminants), and combined with data from a previous systematic review of AR in GIN. A total of 197 publications on AR in GIN were available for analysis, representing 535 studies in 22 countries and spanning the period 1980-2020. Reports of AR were present throughout the European continent and some reports indicated high within-country prevalence. Heuristic sample size-weighted estimates of European AR prevalence over the whole study period, stratified by anthelmintic class, varied between 0 and 48%. Estimated regional (country) prevalence was highly heterogeneous, ranging between 0% and 100% depending on livestock sector and anthelmintic class, and generally increased with increasing research effort in a country. In the few countries with adequate longitudinal data, there was a tendency towards increasing AR over time for all anthelmintic classes in GIN: aggregated results in sheep and goats since 2010 reveal an average prevalence of resistance to benzimidazoles (BZ) of 86%, macrocyclic lactones except moxidectin (ML) 52%, levamisole (LEV) 48%, and moxidectin (MOX) 21%. All major GIN genera survived treatment in various studies. In cattle, prevalence of AR varied between anthelmintic classes from 0-100% (BZ and ML), 0-17% (LEV) and 0-73% (MOX), and both Cooperia and Ostertagia survived treatment. Suspected AR in F. hepatica was reported in 21 studies spanning 6 countries. For GIN and particularly F. hepatica, there was a bias towards preferential sampling of individual farms with suspected AR, and research effort was biased towards Western Europe and particularly the United Kingdom. Ongoing capture of future results in the live database, efforts to avoid bias in farm recruitment, more accurate tests for AR, and stronger appreciation of the importance of AR among the agricultural industry and policy makers, will support more sophisticated analyses of factors contributing to AR and effective strategies to slow its spread.
TITLE: Importance croissante de la résistance aux anthelminthiques chez les ruminants européens : création et méta-analyse d'une base de données ouverte. ABSTRACT: Les helminthes sont omniprésents dans les systèmes de production de ruminants au pâturage et sont responsables de coûts et de pertes de production importants. La résistance aux anthelminthiques (RA) des parasites est maintenant répandue dans toute l'Europe, bien qu'il existe encore des lacunes dans nos connaissances dans certaines régions et certains pays. La RA est une menace majeure pour la pérennité de la production moderne de ruminants, en diminuant la productivité, en compromettant la santé et le bien-être des animaux, et en augmentant les émissions de gaz à effet de serre au travers d'une augmentation du parasitisme et des intrants agricoles. Une meilleure compréhension de l'étendue de la RA en Europe est nécessaire pour développer et préconiser des approches de lutte antiparasitaire plus durables. Une base de données intégrant des informations publiées et non publiées en Europe concernant la RA des nématodes gastro-intestinaux (NGI) et de la douve du foie (Fasciola hepatica) a été compilée par les membres de l'action européenne COST « COMBAR ¼ (« Combattre la résistance aux anthelminthiques chez les ruminants ¼) et combinée avec les données d'une précédente étude systématique concernant la RA des NGI. Au total, 197 publications sur la RA des NGI étaient disponibles pour analyse, représentant 535 études dans 22 pays et couvrant la période 19802020. Des signalements de RA étaient présents sur tout le continent européen et certains rapports indiquaient une forte prévalence nationale. Les estimations heuristiques pondérées par la taille de l'échantillon de la prévalence de la RA en Europe sur toute la période d'étude, stratifiées par classe d'anthelminthiques, variaient de 0 à 48 %. La prévalence régionale (nationale) estimée était très hétérogène, variant entre 0 % et 100 % selon le secteur de l'élevage et la classe d'anthelminthique, et augmentait généralement avec les efforts de recherche dans le pays. Dans les quelques pays disposant de données longitudinales adéquates, il y avait une tendance à l'augmentation de la RA au fil du temps pour toutes les classes d'anthelminthiques des NGI : les résultats agrégés chez les ovins et caprins depuis 2010 révèlent une prévalence moyenne de résistance aux benzimidazoles (BZ) de 86 %, aux lactones macrocycliques sauf moxidectine (ML) de 52 %, au lévamisole (LEV) de 48 % et à la moxidectine (MOX) de 21 %. Tous les genres principaux de NGI ont survécu au traitement dans diverses études. Chez les bovins, la prévalence de la RA variait selon les classes d'anthelminthiques de 0 à 100 % (BZ et ML), 0 à 17 % (LEV) et 0 à 73 % (MOX), et Cooperia et Ostertagia ont survécu aux traitements. Une RA suspectée chez F. hepatica a été signalée dans 21 études portant sur 6 pays. Pour les NGI, et encore plus pour F. hepatica, il y avait un biais d'échantillonnage en faveur des exploitations individuelles suspectées de RA, et l'effort de recherche était biaisé vers l'Europe occidentale et en particulier le Royaume-Uni. La capture continue des résultats futurs dans la base de données, en direct, les efforts pour éviter les biais dans le recrutement des exploitations, des tests plus précis pour la RA et une meilleure appréciation de l'importance de la RA parmi l'industrie agricole et les décideurs politiques, soutiendront des analyses plus sophistiquées des facteurs contribuant à la RA, et des stratégies efficaces pour ralentir sa propagation.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics , Drug Resistance , Livestock , Nematoda , Nematode Infections , Animals , Anthelmintics/pharmacology , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Cattle , Europe/epidemiology , Goats , Livestock/parasitology , Nematoda/drug effects , Nematode Infections/drug therapy , Nematode Infections/epidemiology , Nematode Infections/parasitology , Nematode Infections/veterinary , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/drug therapy , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/epidemiology , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/parasitology , SheepABSTRACT
Helminth infections, mainly by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), are one of the main concerns for animal health, welfare and productivity in grazing ruminant livestock worldwide. The use of a sensitive, precise, accurate, low-cost, and easy-to-perform copromicroscopic technique is of pivotal importance to perform reliable fecal egg count (FEC) and fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), in order to determine the need of anthelmintic treatment, but also anthelmintic efficacy or resistance. This approach is fundamental to a correct and efficient control of GIN. Unfortunately, in worldwide ruminant farm practice, repeated anthelmintic treatments are carried out, without prior diagnosis of infection, contributing to the spread of Anthelmintic Resistance (AR). Tackling this phenomenon, improving mainly the GIN diagnosis and AR status in farm animals, is a priority of the European COST Action "COMBAR-COMBatting Anthelmintic Resistance in Ruminants" and of the STAR-IDAZ International Research Consortium on Animal Health. One of the specific objectives of the COMBAR Working Group 1 (WG1) is to conduct an European market analysis of new diagnostics and develop a business plan for commercial test introduction, leveraging technical know-how of participants. Since the Mini-FLOTAC in combination with the Fill-FLOTAC may be considered a good candidate for a standardized FEC and FECRT in the laboratory, as well as directly in the field, the aim of this study was to conduct SWOT (Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) and PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal) analyses of these tools in 20 European countries involved in the COMBAR WG1, in order to identify the opportunities, barriers, and challenges that might affect the Mini-FLOTAC and Fill-FLOTAC commercialization in Europe.
ABSTRACT
This article reviews the basics of gastrointestinal nematode biology and pathophysiology in cattle and describes how gastrointestinal nematode epidemiology is driven by environmental, host, and farm economic determinants. Adverse effects from gastrointestinal nematodes on their hosts are caused by tissue damage, nutrient absorption, immunopathologic effects, and reduced food intake induced by hormonal changes. Weather and microenvironmental factors influence the development and survival of free-living parasitic stages. A holistic control approach entails the consideration of environmental, immunologic, and socioeconomic aspects of nematode epidemiology and is key for the development and communication of sustainable control strategies.
Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases/parasitology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/veterinary , Nematode Infections/veterinary , Animals , Cattle , Cattle Diseases/epidemiology , Dairying/statistics & numerical data , Feces/parasitology , Female , Gastrointestinal Diseases/parasitology , Gastrointestinal Tract/parasitology , Nematoda/isolation & purification , Nematode Infections/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Faecal egg counts (FEC) and the FEC reduction test (FECRT) for assessing gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection and efficacy of anthelmintics are rarely carried out on ruminant farms because of the cost of individual analyses. The use of pooled faecal samples is a promising method to reduce time and costs, but few studies are available for cattle, especially on the evaluation of different pool sizes and FECRT application. METHODS: A study was conducted to assess FEC strategies based on pooled faecal samples using different pool sizes and to evaluate the pen-side use of a portable FEC-kit for the assessment of FEC on cattle farms. A total of 19 farms representing 29 groups of cattle were investigated in Italy and France. On each farm, individual faecal samples from heifers were collected before (D0) and two weeks after (D14) anthelmintic treatment with ivermectin or benzimidazoles. FEC were determined individually and as pooled samples using the Mini-FLOTAC technique. Four different pool sizes were used: 5 individual samples, 10 individual samples, global and global on-farm. Correlations and agreements between individual and pooled results were estimated with Spearman's correlation coefficient and Lin's concordance correlation coefficients, respectively. RESULTS: High correlation and agreement coefficients were found between the mean of individual FEC and the mean of FEC of the different pool sizes when considering all FEC obtained at D0 and D14. However, these parameters were lower for FECR calculation due to a poorer estimate of FEC at D14 from the faecal pools. When using FEC from pooled samples only at D0, higher correlation and agreement coefficients were found between FECR data, the better results being obtained with pools of 5 samples. Interestingly, FEC obtained on pooled samples by the portable FEC-kit on-farm showed high correlation and agreement with FEC obtained on individual samples in the laboratory. This field approach has to be validated on a larger scale to assess its feasibility and reliability. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights that the pooling strategy and the use of portable FEC-kits on-farm are rapid and cost-effective procedures for the assessment of GIN egg excretion and can be used cautiously for FECR calculation following the administration of anthelmintics in cattle.