Control of helminth ruminant infections by 2030

Abstract

Helminth infections have large negative impacts on production efficiency in ruminant farming systems worldwide, and their effective management is essential if livestock production is to increase to meet future human needs for dietary protein. The control of helminths relies heavily on routine use of chemotherapeutics, but this approach is unsustainable as resistance to anthelmintic drugs is widespread and increasing. At the same time, infection patterns are being altered by changes in climate, land-use and farming practices. Future farms will need to adopt more efficient, robust and sustainable control methods, integrating ongoing scientific advances. Here, we present a vision of helminth control in farmed ruminants by 2030, bringing to bear progress in: (1) diagnostic tools, (2) innovative control approaches based on vaccines and selective breeding, (3) anthelmintics, by sustainable use of existing products and potentially new compounds, and (4) rational integration of future control practices. In this review, we identify the technical advances that we believe will place new tools in the hands of animal health decision makers in 2030, to enhance their options for control and allow them to achieve a more integrated and sustainable approach to helminth control in support of animal welfare and production.

Plant-Based Natural Products for the Discovery and Development of Novel Anthelmintics against Nematodes

“…Resistance against one particular anthelmintic drug is typically accompanied by resistance against other members belonging to the same class (i.e., side-resistance, as opposed to cross-and multidrug-resistance, which refers to resistance against two or multiple drugs belonging to different anthelmintic drug classes) [31]. Anthelmintic resistance has been claimed to occur occasionally also in human intestinal nematodes [35,36], but this is controversial [10,37,38]. It may only be a matter of time before this phenomenon becomes common in helminths of humans [23,39].…”

Helminth Vaccines in Ruminants

“…However, vaccination, even if only partially effective, could become an important component of integrated worm control programs. 1 Anthelmintic treatment at particular time points during the vaccination schedule with the Barbervax vaccine is recommended in sheep, to cope with concurrent trichostrongylus infections or early haemonchus infections (www.barbervax.com.au). Because there is a large variability of immune responses to vaccination between individual animals, 14 animals that respond poorly to vaccination may need to be identified and either treated or removed from the group.…”

“…Together with a more sustainable use of anthelmintics, potential alternative (or complementary) control methods include bioactive forages, selective breeding for host resistance or resilience, nematophagous fungi, and vaccines. 1 Vaccines are considered a favorable option, because of the durable protection they can provide and a lack of chemical residues in animal products and the environment. 2 The principle of vaccination is to induce immunologic protection in a host against a subsequent infection.…”

Luther's Heidelberg Disputation and identity formation

“…In style, the disputation is not primarily so much an intellectual exercise as a "penitential sermon." 19 One ought to point out that Luther also added (more or less elaborate) proofs to his theses, and we will refer to those when appropriate, but what we have here in essence is a "sermon about the law, sin, cross and grace, God and the human being." 20 Luther presents his argument in such an intense way that it should lead to transformation.…”

“…Still deceived by appearances, the theologian of glory thinks she can understand God's attributes (such as God's power and divine nature, wisdom, righteousness, etc. ; Luther is referring to Romans 1 in his proofs), through the made things, through the created order (thesis 19). "The recognition of all these things," Luther adds in his proofs to thesis nineteen, "does not make one worthy or wise."…”