Test-treat-track-test-treat (5T) approach for Schistosoma haematobium elimination on Pemba Island, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: After decades of praziquantel mass drug administration (MDA), several countries approach schistosomiasis elimination. Continuing MDA in largely uninfected populations no longer seems justified. Alternative interventions to maintain the gains or accelerate interruption of transmission are needed. We report results, strengths, and shortcomings of novel test-treat-track-test-treat (5T) interventions in low Schistosoma haematobium prevalence areas on Pemba, Tanzania. METHODS: School- and household-based surveys were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to monitor the S. haematobium and microhematuria prevalence and assess the impact of interventions. In 2021, 5T interventions were implemented in 15 low-prevalence areas and included: (i) testing schoolchildren in primary and Islamic schools for microhematuria as a proxy for S. haematobium, (ii) treating positive children, (iii) tracking them to their households and to water bodies they frequented, (iv) testing individuals at households and water bodies, and (v) treating positive individuals. Additionally, test-and-treat interventions were implemented in the 22 health facilities of the study area. RESULTS: The S. haematobium prevalence in the school-based survey in 15 low-prevalence implementation units was 0.5% (7/1560) in 2021 and 0.4% (6/1645) in 2022. In the household-based survey, 0.5% (14/2975) and 0.7% (19/2920) of participants were infected with S. haematobium in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The microhematuria prevalence, excluding trace results, in the school-based survey was 1.4% (21/1560) in 2021 and 1.5% (24/1645) in 2022. In the household-based survey, it was 3.3% (98/2975) in 2021 and 5.4% (159/2920) in 2022. During the 5T interventions, the microhaematuria prevalence was 3.8% (140/3700) and 5.8% (34/594) in children in primary and Islamic schools, respectively, 17.1% (44/258) in household members, and 16.7% (10/60) in people at water bodies. In health facilities, 19.8% (70/354) of patients tested microhematuria-positive. CONCLUSIONS: The targeted 5T interventions maintained the very low S. haematobium prevalence and proved straightforward and feasible to identify and treat many of the few S. haematobium-infected individuals. Future research will show whether 5T interventions can maintain gains in the longer-term and expedite elimination. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISCRCTN91431493. Registered 11 February 2020, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN91431493 .

Efficacy and safety of single-dose artesunate plus sulfalene/pyrimethamine combined with praziquantel for the treatment of children with Schistosoma mansoni or Schistosoma haematobium in western Kenya: a randomised, open-label controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Reliance on praziquantel for the treatment and control of schistosomiasis is likely to facilitate the emergence of drug resistance. Combination therapy targeting adult and juvenile schistosome worms is urgently needed to improve praziquantel efficacy and delay the potential development of drug resistance. We assessed the efficacy and safety of single-dose praziquantel combined with single-dose artesunate plus sulfalene-pyrimethamine in the treatment of Kenyan children with schistosomiasis. METHODS: This was an open-label, randomised clinical trial involving 426 school-aged children (7-15 years old) diagnosed with Schistosoma mansoni (by Kato-Katz) or S. haematobium (by urine filtration). They were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive a single dose of praziquantel (40 mg/kg), a single dose of artesunate plus sulfalene-pyrimethamine (12 mg/kg artesunate) or combination therapy using a single dose of praziquantel (40 mg/kg) combined with a single dose of artesunate plus sulfalene-pyrimethamine (12 mg/kg artesunate). The primary outcome was cure and egg reduction rates at 6 weeks post-treatment in the available case population. Adverse events were assessed within 3 h after treatment. RESULTS: Of the 426 children enrolled, 135 received praziquantel, 150 received artesunate plus sulfalene-pyrimethamine, and 141 received combination therapy. Outcome data were available for 348 (81.7%) children. For S. mansoni-infected children (n = 335), the cure rates were 75.6%, 60.7%, and 77.8%, and the egg reduction rates were 80.1%, 85.0%, and 88.4% for praziquantel, artesunate plus sulfalene-pyrimethamine, and combination therapy, respectively. For S. haematobium-infected children (n = 145), the corresponding cure rates were 81.4%, 71.1%, and 82.2%, and the egg reduction rates were 95.6%, 97.1%, and 97.7%, respectively. Seventy-one (16.7%) children reported mild-intensity adverse events. The drugs were well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: A single oral dose of praziquantel combined with artesunate plus sulfalene-pyrimethamine cured a high proportion of children with S. haematobium but did not significantly improve the treatment efficacy for either urinary or intestinal schistosomiasis. Sequential administration of praziquantel and artesunate plus sulfalene-pyrimethamine may enhance the efficacy and safety outcomes.

Meta-analysis and public policy: Reconciling the evidence on deworming.

The WHO recommends mass drug administration (MDA) for intestinal worm infections in areas with over 20% infection prevalence. Recent Cochrane meta-analyses endorse treatment of infected individuals but recommend against MDA. We conducted a theory-agnostic random-effects meta-analysis of the effect of multiple-dose MDA and a cost-effectiveness analysis. We estimate significant effects of MDA on child weight (0.15 kg, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.24; P < 0.001), mid-upper arm circumference (0.20 cm, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.37; P = 0.02), and height (0.09 cm, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.16; P = 0.02) when prevalence is over 20% but not on Hb (0.06 g/dL, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.14; P = 0.1). These results suggest that MDA is a cost-effective intervention, particularly in the settings where it is recommended by the WHO.

Using our understanding of interactions between helminth metabolism and host immunity to target worm survival.

Helminths can adapt to environmental conditions in the host, utilising anaerobic processes like fermentation and malate dismutation to produce energy from carbohydrate. Although targeting carbohydrate metabolism is an established therapeutic strategy to combat helminth infection, questions remain over the metabolic pathways they employ as adults to survive and evade host immunity. Helminths also use amino acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), and cholesterol metabolism, a possible strategy favouring the production of immunomodulatory compounds that may influence survival in the host. Here, we discuss the significance of these differing metabolic pathways and whether targeting of helminth metabolic pathways may allow for the development of novel anthelmintics.

Experimental evidence that dung beetles benefit from reduced ivermectin in targeted treatment of livestock parasites.

Anthelmintic residues in livestock dung can adversely affect beneficial organisms. Targeted selective treatment (TST) of a reduced proportion of livestock with anthelmintics can slow resistance development in gastrointestinal nematodes by providing residue-free dung which could also benefit non-target organisms. We tested effects of TST on survival and reproduction of the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus (Scarabaeidae) in a factorial glasshouse experiment (Experimental treatments: five TST levels, 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 x four ivermectin concentrations, 125, 250, 375, 500 ppb). Each mesocosm comprised a 60 L bin containing sand, four dung pats and six pairs of adult beetles (F0 generation). No effects of TST level and ivermectin concentration on mortality of F0 adults after one week were observed. F0 adult brood ball production was affected by TST level, particularly at high ivermectin concentrations. Brood ball production increased as more untreated pats became available, with greater increases at higher ivermectin concentrations. We tested for evidence of a reported attraction of dung beetles to ivermectin-treated dung using a novel glitter-marker to trace the origin of dung used in brood balls. Where mesocosms contained both dung types, the proportion of brood balls created from untreated dung showed no statistical difference from the null expectation based on untreated dung availability in the mesocosm. Emergence of F1 adults was affected by the increase in TST, with this effect dependent on concentration. Treatments with concentrations of 250-500 ppb had the lowest emergence rates (ca. 5-20 % in mesocosms where all dung pats were treated) but emergence rates increased with TST level, reaching 68-88 % emergence where no dung pats were treated with ivermectin. Ivermectin-induced mortality occurred predominantly at egg and first instar stages. TST can provide refuges for dung beetles offering a strategy for livestock producers to maintain livestock welfare whilst benefiting from ecosystem services provided by important insects.

Surveillance of Ancylostoma caninum in naturally infected dogs in Quebec, Canada, and assessment of benzimidazole anthelmintics reveal a variable efficacy with the presence of a resistant isolate in imported dogs.

Ancylostoma caninum is a widely prevalent parasitic nematode in dogs across the world. There has been a notable increase in reports of anthelmintic resistance in A. caninum within the United States of America in recent years, which has led us to investigate the potential of this scenario in Canada. The study objectives were to assess the prevalence of A. caninum in two different groups, including a colony of rescued dogs in Canada and three imported Greyhound dogs from USA, and to evaluate the efficacy of two benzimidazole (BZ) anthelmintics against A. caninum, complemented with a molecular genetic analysis adapted to low prevalence. Fecal samples were collected at pre- and post-treatment with fenbendazole for the native shelters-origin group, and a combination of anthelmintic formulations, including the pro-BZ febantel for the USA-origin group. The coprology analyses found several genera of internal parasites. Canine ancylostomiasis was the most prevalent parasitosis with 30.77% in the native group and 100% in the USA group, but with overall low average of A. caninum eggs per gram. Through the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), applying a cut-off at 90% as baseline of egg reduction for successful efficacy, BZ showed variable efficacy. Furthermore, molecular analysis confirmed the presence of A. caninum in both groups of dogs and found differences in the genetics linked to BZ resistance on the A. caninum ß-tubulin isotype 1 gene. In the isolate from the native group, both codons 167 and 200 were homozygous without the presence of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). In contrast, the selected isolate from the USA group, showed a homozygous allele at position 200 and a heterozygous SNP at position 167. The latter was congruent with the low efficacy in FECRT and agrees with the recent findings of USA A. caninum isolate resistant phenotype to the BZ anthelmintics. The limitations of the study include an overall low eggs-per-gram in both canine groups, and the shortage of additional fecal samples from the USA group, restraining the molecular analysis only to one out of the three Greyhounds. This study provided some insights on the efficacy of BZs against A. caninum and revealed the presence of BZ resistant isolates in imported dogs in Quebec, Canada. All this information should be considered, for choosing the best strategy in the control of A. caninum using anthelmintic drugs.

Schistosomal appendicitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is one of the endemic parasitic diseases in many developing countries. Despite this, appendicitis secondary to schistosomiasis is an uncommon condition even in some endemic areas. Schistosomal appendicitis, an incidentally discovered appendicitis associated with schistosomiasis histological findings, affects young males predominantly. Timely diagnosis and treatment, including appendectomy and anti-helminthic therapy, are crucial. CASE REPORT: A 24-year-old Sudanese male patient presented with abdominal pain. Diagnosed with acute appendicitis, he underwent appendectomy, revealing appendix inflammation with Schistosoma ova in histopathology. Abdominal ultrasound detected no complications. Weakly positive Schistosoma serology was noted, but stool and urine analysis showed no infection evidence. Prescribed praziquantel, patient had 3-year post-op follow-up without complications. CONCLUSIONS: This case report underscores the significance of including schistosomiasis in the differential diagnosis of appendicitis, particularly in regions where the disease is endemic. It underscores the necessity of histopathological evaluations for accurate diagnosis, emphasizing the potential implications for clinical practice in similar settings.

First evaluation and detection of ivermectin resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats in South Darfur, Sudan.

In Sudan, resistance to benzimidazoles has been reported recently in cattle and goats from South Darfur. Herein, ivermectin efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) was evaluated in sheep and goats in three study areas in South Darfur. The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was used to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in sheep and goats naturally infected with GINs in the region of Bulbul (goats: n = 106), Kass (goats: n = 40) and Nyala (Domaia (sheep: n = 47, goats: n = 77) and the University farm (goats: n = 52)), using different treatment plans, and the efficacy was evaluated 12 days after treatment. Ivermectin efficacy was also evaluated in goats experimentally infected using local Haemonchus contortus isolates from Kass and Nyala. Nematodes surviving ivermectin treatment in goats in Bulbul and Nyala were harvested and larvae used to infect worm-free male sheep (n = 6, ≤6 months old). Infected sheep were dosed subcutaneously with ivermectin every eight days with increasing doses from 0.2 mg/kg to 1.6 mg/kg bodyweight (bw). Reduced ivermectin efficacy was identified in sheep and goats in the four study locations. Using a paired statistic, the efficacy of a therapeutic dose in sheep was 75.6% (90% upper credible limit (UCrL): 77.5%), while twice the recommended dose led to a reduction of 92.6% (90% UCrL: 93.3%). In goats, the FECRs of a therapeutic dose were 72.9-95.3% (90% UCrL range: 73.6-95.7%) in Bulbul, Nyala Domaia, Nyala University farm and Kass. Twice the dose recommended for goats in Bulbul revealed a 90% UCrL of 87.6%. All post-treatment faecal cultures contained only Haemonchus spp. larvae. The experimental infection trials in sheep and goats supported our findings from field trials and calculated upper 90% CrL of below 98.9%. For the first time highly ivermectin resistant H. contortus populations have been identified in sheep and goats in Sudan, and resistance was experimentally confirmed.

Hydatid cyst in heart and lung: a rare case with a 5-year follow-up.

This report describes a male in his late 20s who presented with a 2-month history of recurrent haemoptysis and chest pain. A chronic infection, such as tuberculosis, was suspected. He had undergone surgical resection of an intrapericardial hydatid cyst in the past. His blood investigations showed peripheral eosinophilia, and his chest X-ray showed a cystic oval lesion in the left upper zone. A CT pulmonary angiogram revealed filling defects in the bilateral segmental and subsegmental arteries with a cystic lesion in the left upper lobe. Further workup, including bronchoalveolar lavage culture and MRI of the thorax, confirmed the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst of pulmonary echinococcosis. This case illustrates the presentation of multisystemic echinococcosis in a young male with no other risk factors, initially treated with surgical resection and antihelminthic therapy. The disease later recurred, which required prolonged medications, which brought the patient into remission.

Re-assessment of schistosomiasis in nine endemic districts with cluster sampling in Sierra Leone.

Background: Baseline mapping showed that schistosomiasis was highly/moderately endemic in nine districts in Sierra Leone. Mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel started in 2009, and after multiple rounds of treatment, an impact assessment was conducted in 2016 followed by a second re-assessment in 2022 using cluster sampling to provide more granular data for refining chiefdom (sub-district) treatment strategies. Methods: On average, 20 rural villages were systematically selected per district by probability proportional to population size across the nine districts. Surveys were conducted in schools, and 24 school children aged between 5 and 14 years were randomly selected, with an equal number of boys and girls. One stool sample and one urine sample were collected per child. Two Kato-Katz slides were examined per stool for Schistosoma mansoni infection. Hemastix strips were used as a proxy for S. haematobium infection with urine filtration used for egg counts on hematuria-positive samples. Results: In total, 4,736 stool samples and 4,618 urine samples were examined across 200 schools in 125 chiefdoms. Overall, the prevalence of S. mansoni was 16.3% (95% CI: 15.3-17.4%), while the overall prevalence of S. haematobium was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.6-2.4%) by hematuria. The prevalence of heavy infections for S. mansoni and S. haematobium was 1.5% (95% CI: 1.1-1.9%) and 0.02% (95% CI: 0.0-0.14%), respectively. Among 125 chiefdoms surveyed, the overall schistosomiasis prevalence was <10% in 65 chiefdoms, 10-49.9% in 47 chiefdoms, and ≥ 50% in 13 chiefdoms. There was a mixed relationship between schistosomiasis in school children and WASH access in schools. Conclusion: Sierra Leone has made significant progress in reducing schistosomiasis prevalence across the country after a decade of MDA intervention. However, high prevalence remains in some hotspot chiefdoms. The next steps are for the national program to investigate and address any potential issues such as low coverage or poor knowledge of schistosomiasis risk behaviors and, where appropriate, consider broadening to community-wide treatment in hotspot chiefdoms or communities.

Atypical Toxocara canis-Induced Hepatic Visceral Larva Migrans: Diagnostic Challenges and Literature Review.

Toxocariasis, a zoonotic infection transmitted by Toxocara canis (from dogs) and Toxocara cati (from cats) larvae, poses rare but severe risks to humans. We present a case of hepatic visceral larva migrans (VLM) caused by Toxocara canis in a 21-year-old male with a history of close contact with a pet dog. Initial symptoms and imaging findings mimicked a pyogenic liver abscess. The initial laboratory investigations revealed neutrophilia and elevated levels of IgE. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, persistent fever prompted further investigation. Subsequent serological testing for Toxocara antibodies and histopathological analysis of liver tissue demonstrating eosinophil infiltrates and Charcot-Leyden crystals led to a confirmed diagnosis of a liver abscess caused by Toxocara canis. Serological testing for Toxocara antibodies and histopathological analysis of liver tissue confirmed a Toxocara canis-induced liver abscess. Albendazole treatment yielded significant clinical improvement. This case highlights the necessity of considering toxocariasis in liver abscess differentials, particularly in high-seroprevalence regions like Vietnam. Relying solely on serological tests may be insufficient, emphasizing the need for corroborative evidence, including invasive procedures like liver biopsy, for accurate hepatic toxocariasis diagnosis.

Efficacy of Single-Dose Albendazole and Albendazole Plus Ivermectin for Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection in Children in the Peruvian Amazon.

In countries where soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic, deworming programs are recommended to reduce morbidity; however, increasing levels of resistance to benzimidazoles are of concern. In an observational study in Peru, we studied the clinical efficacy of 400 mg of albendazole 20 days after treatment among children aged 2-11 years. Of 426 participants who provided samples, 52.3% were infected with a STH, 144 (33.8%) were positive for Ascaris (41.8% light, 50.8% moderate, and 7.4% heavy infections), 147 (34.5%) were positive for Trichuris (75.2% light, 22.5% moderate, and 2.3% heavy infections), and 1.1% were positive for hookworm species (100% light infections). Additional stool samples were examined at 20, 90, and 130 days after the initial treatment. At 20 days post-administration of albendazole, the cure rate (CR) of Ascaris infection was 80.1% (95% CI: 73.5-86.7), and the egg reduction rate (ERR) was 70.8% (95% CI: 57.8-88.7); the CR for Trichuris infection was 27.1% (95% CI: 20.0-34.3), and the ERR was 29.8% (95% CI: -1.40 to 57.5). Among participants with persistent or recurrent infections with Trichuris, the combined therapy of albendazole (400 mg) and ivermectin at 600 µg/dose increased overall CR for Trichuris infection to 75.2% (95% CI: 67.3-83.2%) with an ERR of 84.2% (95% CI: 61.3-93.8%). Albendazole administration alone for the control of STH was associated with high rates of treatment failure, especially for Trichuris. Combined single doses of albendazole and ivermectin was observed to have improved efficacy.

Approach to Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the horse encompasses a group of infiltrative gastrointestinal disorders resulting in malabsorption, maldigestion, weight loss, colic, and sometimes diarrhea. The type of IBD can be classified as granulomatous, lymphocytic-plasmacytic, or eosinophilic enterocolitis. The diagnosis of IBD in equids is based on consistent clinical signs and clinicopathologic findings in conjunction with confirmatory histopathology from a gastrointestinal biopsy. Treatment usually consists of a combination of immunosuppressive medications, anthelmintics, and dietary modifications. The prognosis of IBD in horses is variable and dependent on the horse's response to treatment; however, horses can show improvement or resolution of clinical signs.

World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.): Third edition of the guideline for evaluating efficacy of anthelmintics in ruminants (bovine, ovine, caprine).

This guideline is aimed at those who are involved in the assessment of anthelmintic efficacy in ruminant livestock species (bovine, ovine and caprine). The intent is to provide a framework that can be adopted worldwide for the testing of anthelmintics in ruminants, such that studies carried out in different countries can be compared and thereby unnecessary duplication can be reduced. Recommendations are made for the selection, housing and feeding of study animals, the type of studies required, the method used to conduct those studies, the assessment of results and the standards for defining anthelmintic efficacy.

In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic effect of essential oil obtained from Thymus capitatus flowers against Haemonchus contortus and Heligmosomoides polygyrus.

Sheep haemonchosis is a disease that causes serious losses in livestock production, particularly with the increase of cases of anthelmintic resistance around the world. This justifies the urgent need of alternative solutions. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical profile, in vitro, and, in vivo, anthelmintic properties of Thymus capitatus essential oil. To evaluate the, in vitro, anthelmintic activity of the T. capitatus EO on Haemonchus contortus, two tests were used: egg hatch assay (EHA) and adult worm motility (AWM) assay. The nematicidal effect of this oil was evaluated, in vivo, in mice infected artificially with Heligmosomoides polygyrus using faecal egg count reduction (FECR) and total worm count reduction (TWCR). Chromatographic characterization of T.capitatus composition using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) demonstrated the presence of carvacrol (81.16%), as the major constituents. The IC50 values obtained was 1.9 mg/mL in the EHT. In the AWM assay; T. capitatus essential oil achieved 70.8% inhibition at 1 mg/mL after 8 h incubation. The in vivo, evaluation on H. polygyrus revealed a significant nematicidal effect 7 days post-treatment by inducing 49.5% FECR and 64.5% TWCR, using the highest dose (1600 mg/kg). The results of present study, demonstrate that T.capitatus EO possess a significant anthelmintic properties. Furthermore, it could be an alternative source of anthelmintic agents against gastrointestinal infections caused by H. contortus.

Understanding the host response of farmed fish to blood flukes (Trematoda: Aporocotylidae) for developing new treatment strategies.

Aporocotylids (Trematoda: Digenea), also known as fish blood flukes infect the circulatory system of fish leading to serious health problems and mortality. Aporocotylids are a particular concern for farmed fish as infection intensity can increase within the farming environment and lead to mortalities. In the context of managing these infections, one of the most crucial aspects to consider is the host response of the infected fish against these blood flukes. Understanding the response is essential to improving current treatment strategies that are largely based on the use of anthelmintic praziquantel to manage infections in aquaculture. This review focuses on the current knowledge of farmed fish host responses against the different life stages of aporocotylids. New treatment strategies that are able to provide protection against reinfections should be a long-term goal and is not possible without understanding the fish response to infection and the interactions between host and parasite.

Assessing periparturient ewe characteristics and nemabiome composition to guide targeted selective treatment for sustainable gastrointestinal nematodes control in sheep.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are a significant threat to the sustainability of global sheep production. Periparturient ewes play a key role in GIN epidemiology, with increased GIN faecal egg counts (FECs) in these ewes resulting in heavy pasture contamination that facilitates parasitic gastroenteritis in immunologically naïve lambs later during the grazing period. Traditionally, blanket anthelmintic treatment would suppress GIN egg outputs in these ewes and subsequent pasture contamination. However, farmers are now advised to implement targeted selective treatment (TST) to reduce anthelmintic use and subsequent anthelmintic resistance development, yet, there is currently limited evidence to determine optimal TST strategies in ewes. In this study, the characteristics of 226 ewes on seven Welsh farms were assessed postlambing to identify factors associated with their individual strongyle FECs using negative binomial mixed model analysis. Nemabiome analysis was conducted on 34 ewes across two study farms using the Oxford Nanopore MinIon platform with an aim of identifying factors associated with variations in ewe nemabiome composition within flocks. The best-fitted model of ewe FEC incorporated ewe body condition score, dag score, breed, and an interaction effect between ewe age and litter size as fixed factors. The addition of a mean FEC value for ewes of a specific litter size on each farm further improved model fit and reduced between-farm variance in the model. Nemabiome analysis revealed significant variation in within flock nemabiome diversity on individual farms, with significantly reduced nemabiome diversity recorded in ewes exhibiting dags and in twin-bearing ewes on respective farms, whilst T. circumcincta was present as a significantly higher proportion of the nemabiome in Suffolk ewes and twin bearing ewes (P < 0.05) in respective flocks. Our data demonstrate that commonly recorded ewe characteristics can be exploited to predict individual periparturient ewe FEC and subsequently may be used as a guide for TST strategies on sheep farms once specific TST thresholds are identified to deliver the optimal balance between minimal pasture contamination and maximal GIN refugia. This study is the first to utilise Oxford Nanopore MinIon sequencing to evaluate the nemabiome of sheep, and to molecularly assess the nemabiome of individual ruminants within a flock/herd, with results indicating that significant within flock variations in nemabiome composition which may have implications for TST and flock management strategies.

Moxidectin versus Ivermectin in the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic experimental trichinellosis.

The limited activity of the traditional medications against T. spiralis encysted larvae handicaps complete cure of trichinellosis till now due to decreased permeability and absorption through tissues. MOX is listed worldwide for prevention and treatment of several internal and external nematodes. Consequently, the aim of this work was to investigate the effect of moxidectin versus ivermectin on experimental acute and chronic trichinellosis and to illuminate the potential mechanisms of their effects. 105 Mice were divided into four groups; Group I: Uninfected healthy control; Group II: Infected untreated control; Group III: Infected and treated with IVM and Group IV: Infected and treated with MOX. The groups (II, III and IV) were later subdivided equally into three subgroups (a, b, and c) according to the stage of treatment. Parasitological counting of adults and larvae besides immune-histopathological examination of intestines and muscles were done. Results exhibited that both IVM and MOX succeeded in reducing adults and larvae counts with higher potential of MOX in both intestinal and muscle phase. The preeminence of MOX was indicated by decreased inflammation, a significant reduction in the microvascular density (CD31 immunostaining) as well as a reduction in the percentage of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) immunostaining in muscle tissues. Accordingly, the current work recommends moxidectin as an innovative treatment for trichinellosis.