Vaccination against the abomasal cattle nematode Ostertagia ostertagi

Ostertagia ostertagi is the most prevalent parasitic nematode in cattle in temperate regions, and is especially pathogenic in first grazing season calves. The aim of this research program is the identification, and molecular and biochemical characterisation of potentially protective antigens of Ostertagia ostertagi, and finally the examination of their protective capacities in vaccinated calves.

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Ostertagia ostertagi: Host-parasite interactions

It has been shown that helminth parasites such as O. ostertagi modulate their host environment. An important role has been attributed to parasite excretory-secretory (ES) material. The objective of this research is the identification of ES antigens and to unravel their role in parasite biology, with a special interest in mucin degrading enzymes and galectins. Furthermore, the phage display technology is being assessed to identify interactions between ES products and the abomasal epithelial cells.

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Cryptosporidium and Giardia

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are protozoan parasites able to infect a wide range of mammalian hosts. Both in human patients and in animals, Cryptosporidium and Giardia contribute to the development of diarrhea, and zoonotic transmission is known to occur. The aim of this research program is to focus on molecular epidemiology, parasite diagnosis and treatment of both parasites in several hosts, such as calves, companion animals, small ruminants and human patients, both in temperate and tropical regions.

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Macrocyclic lactone resistance in ruminants

The control of bovine parasitic gastro-enteritis in Europe mainly relies on preventive anthelmintic treatment programs. The most important anthelmintics in use today are the macrocyclic lactones. Continuous or frequent use of the same or same class of anthelmintic results in the development of resistance. The aim of the ongoing research project is to study the mechanisms of ML-resistance in O. ostertagi and to develop sensitive probes for monitoring the frequency of resistance alleles.

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Diagnosis and control of helminth infections in cattle

The most important helminth infections of cattle in temperate climate regions are infections with gastrointestinal nematodes (mainly Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia spp.), liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) and lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus). The research focuses on the development of new diagnostic and control methods for a targeted control of helminth infections in cattle.

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Ticks and tick-borne diseases in dogs and cats in Belgium

This study is a joint initiative of the University of Liège (B. Losson, C. Saegerman), the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp (M. Madder) and Ghent University (E. Claerebout, A. De Cat), together with Bayer Health Care. The major objective is to estimate the distribution of ticks on dogs and cats, and the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in Belgium.

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Development of a vaccine against Ascaris suum

Ascaris suum is an intestinal parasitic nematode of the pig and is both morphologically and antigenically indistinguishable from Ascaris lumbricoides which infects over 1 billion humans worldwide. Infection with Ascaris has an immediate negative impact on human health (i.e. anaemia, diarrhoea, mall nutrition). In pigs, Ascaris is the most common parasite in Europe with a prevalence of more than 30%. Ascariosis is traditionally being controlled by mass therapy with anthelmintics. Despite the high efficacy of these products, the long term effect of the anthelmintics is disappointing and the problem with ascariosis is actually increasing. Only vaccination could result in a long term, efficient control.

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Porcine cysticercosis

Porcine cysticercosis is considered among the most important (re-) emerging zoonotic diseases worldwide. In developing countries this helminth zoonosis is associated with poor sanitation and hygiene, poor methods of pig husbandry, culinary traditions, and lack of medical and diagnostic facilities. The aim of this research program lies on epidemiology, parasite diagnosis and control of infection.
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Bovine schistosomiasis

Worldwide, at least 165 million cattle are infected with Schistosoma, a trematode from the mesenteric veins. The objectives of the present research project are to collect more information on the overall epidemiology of cattle schistosomiasis, to study the efficacy of Schistosoma vaccines, and to investigate the importance of maternal and colostral immunity on the subsequent infection in young calves.
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Eosinophilic myositis in bovines

Eosinophilic myositis (EM) is a rare pathological entity that appears worldwide in clinical healthy bovines. It is characterized by multifocal grey-green lesions in striated muscles which results in condemnation if observed in slaughterhouses. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown, however, it has been suggested that Sarcocystis spp. may be involved.

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Gastrointestinal parasitic infections in captive non human primates

Infections with gastro-intestinal parasites are widespread among non-human primates (NHP). However, as a consequence of regular deworming and hygienic measures helminth infections are uncommon in captive NHP. In contrast, protozoa such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Balantidium coli are frequently reported in captive NHP, and are considered as important in the aetiology of gastro-enteritis in NHP.

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Human polyparasitism

Schistosome and geohelminth infections are among the most common of all human infections, affecting more than a quarter of the world's population. Infections are more common among the poorest and most disadvantaged communities, and they are most intense in school-aged children, who are particularly at risk.


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Sarcoptic mange in pigs

Sarcoptic mange in pigs is a highly prevalent skin disorder causing extensive economical loss.
The aim of this research program is the optimize diagnosis and control of infection at herd level.

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Miscalleneous

Next to the specific research topics, several projects have been and are being supported by the Laboratory for Parasitology. These projects include the epidemiology, diagnosis and control of parasite infections in horses, swine and exotic animals, both in temperate and tropical countries.

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