Molecular tools-advances, opportunities and prospects for the control of parasites of veterinary importance

Abstract

The recent advancement in genome sequencing facilities, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics of eukaryotes have opened door for employment of molecular diagnostic techniques for early detection of parasites and determining target molecules for formulating control strategies. It further leads to the introduction of several purified vaccines in the field of veterinary parasitology. Earlier, the conventional diagnostic methods was entirely based upon morphological taxonomy for diagnosis of parasites but nowadays improved molecular techniques help in phylogenetic study and open an another area of molecular taxonomy of parasites with high precision. Control measures based upon targeting endosymbionts in parasites like Dirofilaria immitis is also under exploration in veterinary parasitology. Metagenomics have added an inside story of parasites bionomics which have created havoc in human and animals population since centuries. Omics era is playing a key role in opening the new approaches on parasite biology. Various newer generations of safer vaccines like edible vaccines and subunit vaccines and diagnostic techniques based upon purified immunologically active epitopes have become commercially available against the parasites (helminths, protozoa and arthropod borne diseases). Nowadays, a transgenic and gene knock out studies using RNA interference and CRISPR are also helping in understanding the functions of genes and screening of target genes, which are not available before the advent of molecular tools. Molecular techniques had paramount impact on increasing the sensitivity of diagnostic tools, epidemiological studies and more importantly in controlling these diseases. This review is about the advancements in veterinary parasitology and their impact on the control of these pathogens.

Characterisation of Metarhizium majus (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) isolated from the Western Cape Province, South Africa

“…majus isolate not only adds new information to the body of knowledge regarding South African soil fungal biodiversity, but opens the way for developing this organism as a product in the local agricultural industry. It has been shown that local strains are generally more effective biocontrol agents, as they are adapted to local environmental conditions, and many regions are tapping into local biodiversity as a source of biopesticides [ 8 , 28 , 29 ]. The presence of M .…”

Scratching the Itch: Updated Perspectives on the Schistosomes Responsible for Swimmer’s Itch around the World

“…In the era of low-cost genome sequencing, this should be a priority, especially for species that are rare and in danger of being lost. The advantages of having a greater representation of the overall genetic diversity of schistosomes are bound to be many and will include clues as to how life cycles are orchestrated [ 159 ], why some species have broader host spectra than others [ 160 , 161 ], how host shifts might have been undertaken [ 162 , 163 ], how genetically diverse particular species are [ 164 , 165 ], and how we might reveal targets that would make their management more likely [ 166 ].…”

Insects, Rodents, and Pets as Reservoirs, Vectors, and Sentinels of Antimicrobial Resistance

“…Insects, rodents, and to some extent, pets are an integral component of societies in the developing regions of Asia, South America, and Africa [ 7 , 235 ]. For example, both edible insects, rodents, and other wild animals contribute significantly to household food security and nutrition [ 236 , 237 ]. Companion animals, including cats and dogs, are also common, where the latter is even used for household security and hunting edible wild animals.…”