Validating a drug resistance marker for a globally important ruminant parasite

The barber-pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is a parasitic worm of sheep, goats and cattle common in both UK and Canada. Infection of the barber-worm causes reduction in animal growth and milk production in addition to general poor health and high risk of death, costing millions from production losses annually in Canada and the UK. Symptoms commonly appear before it is possible to diagnose infection, so farmers regularly preventatively treat their flocks with chemical drugs. This drives the development of resistance to these drugs – the barber-pole worm has developed some level of resistance to all available drugs. Previous work has identified a genetic mutation within the worm that may indicate resistance to a commonly used drug, Levamisole. We will investigate if this mutation is more common in worm populations that have been exposed to Levamisole – If this is the case, then it will lead to an affordable point-of-care test which will act as a sign to farmers that this drug will not work on their farms, and so will guide sustainable treatment options.

Faculty Supervisor:

John Gilleard

Student:

Partner:

Queen’s University Belfast

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Calgary

Program: