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Veterinary Parasitology

Introduction

Areas of Research

Resources

Projects Underway

Introduction

Veterinary Parasitology conducts teaching to Veterinary students on ecto- and endo parasites (including protozoa) in Veterinary Parasitology (VETS3041) and Animal Disease (VETS 3048) and to Animal Veterinary Biosciences students within the Entomology unit of study (ENTO2002). Research-led teaching ensues from ongoing projects on internal nematode parasites of ruminants, mucosal immunity in sheep and pigs and research on the pathogenesis, immunity and diagnosis of protozoal infections in livestock and wildlife. The parasitology section also provides diagnostic services to the University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and supplies nematode parasites to external clients.

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Areas of Research

Veterinary Parasitology research is concentrated on:

  • Sustainable livestock production through development of markers for resistance to internal parasite control and management;
  • Food safety through diagnosis and management of protozoal zoonoses in food-producing animals;
  • Wildlife health and protozoal diseases;
  • Mucosal immunity and vaccination in pigs; and
  • Mucosal immunity to infection with Mycobacteria (ovine Johne’s disease) in sheep
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Resources

  • Molecular biology and diagnostic parasitology capabilities
  • Proteomics and genomics collaborations and expertise
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Projects Underway

  • Characterisation of major genes involved in the Haemonchus- sheep host-parasite relationship (SheepGenomics- MLA/AWI)
  • Virulence determinants of strains of Haemonchus contortus (SheepGenomics)
  • Vaccination of pigs against Lawsonia intracellularis (proliferative ileitis) (with Trish Holyoake- ARC Linkage)
  • Differential immune responsiveness of piglets from gilts and sows (APL)
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