The Tropical Council for Companion Animal Parasites Ltd. (TroCCAP) is a not-forprofit organisation whose mission is to independently inform, guide and make bestpractice recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and control of companion animal parasites in the tropics and sub-tropics, with the aim of protecting animal and human health. In line with this primary mission, TroCCAP recently developed guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and control of feline and canine parasites in the tropics. The development of these guidelines required unique and complex considerations to be addressed, often inapplicable to developed nations. Much of the tropics encompass middle-to-low income countries in which poor standards of environmental hygiene and large populations of stray dogs and cats coexist. In these regions, a range of parasites pose a high risk to companion animals, which ultimately may place their owners at risk of acquiring parasitic zoonoses. These considerations led to the development of unique recommendations with regard, for example, to deworming and endoparasite testing intervals for the control of both global and 'region-specific' parasites in the tropics.Moreover, the 'off-' or 'extra'-label use of drugs for the treatment and control of parasitic infections is common practice in many tropical countries and many generic products lack manufacturers' information on efficacy, safety, and quality control.Recommendations and advice concerning the use of such drugs and protocols are also addressed in these guidelines. The formation of these guidelines is an important first step towards improving the education of veterinarians specifically regarding bestpractice for the diagnosis, treatment and control of canine and feline parasites in the tropics.

This letter advises the imminent formation of the Companion Animal Parasites Council for the Tropics (CAPCT). The CAPCT consists of region-specific (e.g., Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Caribbean, Africa) experts comprising academics, veterinarians, parasitologists, physicians and allied industry partners that will work together to inform, guide and develop best-practice recommendations for the optimal diagnosis, treatment and control of companion animal parasites in the tropics, with the aim of protecting the health of pets and that of the public.

In the gastrointestinal mucosa, mucus produced by goblet cells plays an important role in the defense against various pathogens. It is well known that some helminth parasites are able to up-regulate goblet cell numbers and alter the mucus components. However, the nature of the interactions between the protozoan parasites and goblet cells is still unclear. To clarify this point, we examined the goblet cell response in the small intestinal epithelium in C57BL/6 mice with Eimeria vermiformis infection. On day 6 post-infection (p.i.), we observed E. vermiformis multiplication followed by their destruction within the epithelium of the crypt. However, this was not observed in the villi. There was no evidence that the parasite destroyed the goblet cells; moreover, the number of goblet cells decreased in association with the development of the endogenous stages of E. vermiformis in the jejunum and ileum, but not in the duodenum. During this time, we observed infiltration into the lamina propria by lymphoid cells, such as plasma cells and lymphocytes with some eosinophils, in addition to villous atrophy. A significant reduction of goblet cell numbers occurred on days 8 and 10 p.i. Starting from day 12 p.i., elimination/termination of E. vermiformis was noted, and there was recovery of the villous epithelium along with regeneration of the crypt and goblet cells. The current study examined the reduction of goblet cells and their possible importance in eimerian infections.

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection can induce atherogenic lipid profile and reduce serum PON1 activity.

The agar gel diffusion test (AGDT) was applied to detect Fasciola infection in several regions of Vietnam where equipment for fecal examination such as a microscope is not readily available. A 1% solution of agar dissolved in 10% saline, and the antigen prepared from adult individuals of Fasciola sp. were used for the test. The test was specific for Fasciola infection, which was detected in the sera from about 50% of the cattle and water buffaloes examined. The gel and antigen can be stored in a refrigerator for more than 3 months and used for the test. The results of this study revealed that the agar gel diffusion test could become a useful tool to diagnose fasciolosis in cattle and buffaloes at the Regional Animal Health Centers in Vietnam.Discipline: Animal health Additional key words: liver fluke, rumen fluke, serological test, zoonosis, herd diagnosis JARQ 37 (3), 201 -205