Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience
Helminth infections are ubiquitous in grazing ruminants and cause significant costs due to production losses. Moreover, anthelmintic resistance (AR) in parasites is now widespread throughout Europe and poses a major threat to the sustainability of modern ruminant livestock farming. Epidemiological d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Parasitology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0031182023000343/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1827580349011460096 |
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| author | Anna Maurizio Stefania Perrucci Claudia Tamponi Antonio Scala Rudi Cassini Laura Rinaldi Antonio Bosco Rudi Cassini Laura Rinaldi |
| author_facet | Anna Maurizio Stefania Perrucci Claudia Tamponi Antonio Scala Rudi Cassini Laura Rinaldi Antonio Bosco Rudi Cassini Laura Rinaldi |
| author_sort | Anna Maurizio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Helminth infections are ubiquitous in grazing ruminants and cause significant costs due to production losses. Moreover, anthelmintic resistance (AR) in parasites is now widespread throughout Europe and poses a major threat to the sustainability of modern ruminant livestock farming. Epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal nematodes, cestodes and liver- and rumen-flukes in Italian small ruminants are outdated and fragmentary. However, anthelmintics are commonly used to control these infections and often without prior diagnosis. Compared to other European countries, few reports of AR in small ruminants against levamisole, ivermectin and benzimidazoles have been published in Italy, but recent studies suggest that this phenomenon is spreading. Increased and integrated research efforts in developing innovative approaches to control helminth infections and AR are needed and must be tailored to the peculiarities of each context in order to be effectively implemented. This manuscript provides an overview on helminth prevalence and distribution, sustainable treatment strategies and integrated control approaches in small ruminants in Italy. The implementation of targeted treatments and targeted selective treatments is discussed based on different parameters, such as fecal egg count, degree of anaemia (FAMACHA© method), milk production and body condition score. In addition, several Italian studies have also investigated the implementation of alternative strategies such as the use of different natural bioactive compounds or genetic selection for resistance and resilience to helminth infections. These concrete solutions for helminth management in small ruminant farms in the country are reported and discussed, representing a valid example for other Mediterranean countries. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:16:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fc771cace2874bdf9ac9330a81c6a4ab |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0031-1820 1469-8161 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:16:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasitology |
| spelling | doaj.art-fc771cace2874bdf9ac9330a81c6a4ab2023-12-18T23:53:43ZengCambridge University PressParasitology0031-18201469-81612023-10-011501105111810.1017/S0031182023000343Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experienceAnna Maurizio0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0517-6235Stefania Perrucci1Claudia Tamponi2Antonio Scala3Rudi Cassini4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5529-2854Laura Rinaldi5Antonio Bosco6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1266-2154Rudi CassiniLaura RinaldiDepartment of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16-35020 Legnaro, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16-35020 Legnaro, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, ItalyHelminth infections are ubiquitous in grazing ruminants and cause significant costs due to production losses. Moreover, anthelmintic resistance (AR) in parasites is now widespread throughout Europe and poses a major threat to the sustainability of modern ruminant livestock farming. Epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal nematodes, cestodes and liver- and rumen-flukes in Italian small ruminants are outdated and fragmentary. However, anthelmintics are commonly used to control these infections and often without prior diagnosis. Compared to other European countries, few reports of AR in small ruminants against levamisole, ivermectin and benzimidazoles have been published in Italy, but recent studies suggest that this phenomenon is spreading. Increased and integrated research efforts in developing innovative approaches to control helminth infections and AR are needed and must be tailored to the peculiarities of each context in order to be effectively implemented. This manuscript provides an overview on helminth prevalence and distribution, sustainable treatment strategies and integrated control approaches in small ruminants in Italy. The implementation of targeted treatments and targeted selective treatments is discussed based on different parameters, such as fecal egg count, degree of anaemia (FAMACHA© method), milk production and body condition score. In addition, several Italian studies have also investigated the implementation of alternative strategies such as the use of different natural bioactive compounds or genetic selection for resistance and resilience to helminth infections. These concrete solutions for helminth management in small ruminant farms in the country are reported and discussed, representing a valid example for other Mediterranean countries.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0031182023000343/type/journal_articleAnthelmintic resistanceGastrointestinal helminthssmall ruminantssustainable parasite controltargeted (selective) treatments |
| spellingShingle | Anna Maurizio Stefania Perrucci Claudia Tamponi Antonio Scala Rudi Cassini Laura Rinaldi Antonio Bosco Rudi Cassini Laura Rinaldi Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience Parasitology Anthelmintic resistance Gastrointestinal helminths small ruminants sustainable parasite control targeted (selective) treatments |
| title | Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience |
| title_full | Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience |
| title_fullStr | Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience |
| title_full_unstemmed | Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience |
| title_short | Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience |
| title_sort | control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance the italian experience |
| topic | Anthelmintic resistance Gastrointestinal helminths small ruminants sustainable parasite control targeted (selective) treatments |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0031182023000343/type/journal_article |
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