New diagnostic tools for monitoring parasites of sheep

Abstract

\"Resistance of gastrointestinal nematode worms to anthelmintic drenches has led to new tactics for treatment of worms in sheep. Regional, calendar-based drenching programs have been replaced with programs designed for individual farms, which are based on measures of worm burden, drench resistance and genetic resistance of sheep to worms. To support these new worm control strategies, the Australian Sheep Industry CRC is developing improved on-farm and laboratory tests to measure worm burdens and the genera of worms present in parasitized sheep. Automated systems for measuring weight loss caused by worms and for diagnosis of covert blowfly strike are under development by the CRC. A test for diagnosis of Haemonchus worm infections on-farm is currently under field trial in the lead up to commercial release in 2006. \"