SCOPs to investigate tools to identify worm species
Existing FECs are unable to identify specific worm species.
Sustainable Control of Parasites (SCOPs) has announced plans to explore new methods of identifying specific worm species that are present in dung samples from sheep.
The project will see SCOPs work with Queen's University Belfast and Biobest to devise simpler, and potentially cheaper, tests for farmers and veterinary teams to use.
The group currently promotes the use of faecal egg counts (FECs). This test can be used to estimate the adult worm burden in sheep and measure the efficacy of anthelmintic treatments.
However FECs are not able to differentiate between most species of worm.
SCOPs says that techniques are available to identify worm species, either using DNA or extracted worm eggs from faeces. These tests are not commercially available, and are primarily used in research settings.
The identification of the worm species is becoming increasingly important for sheep farmers in the UK. This can help them better analyse the efficiency of anthelmintic classes and make complex decisions around the use of wormer classes.
The research has been funded by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, in the hopes a new, more accessible test will be discovered.
Lesley Stubbings, an independent sheep consultant speaking on behalf of SCOPs, said: “For this work to be taken forward, it is really important for us to understand the appetite for such a diagnostic tool.
“To try to gauge this we have devised a short survey for farmers, vets and advisers who are concerned or involved in worm control in sheep. It will only take five minutes but will be extremely valuable as we strive to provide new tools for you to use in the fight against anthelmintic resistance.”
So far, survey responses have found that respondents are most interested in diagnostic accuracy and turnaround time over price. These findings will be used to support researchers in creating a test, to be used alongside an FEC, for sheep farmers, veterinary teams and advisors.
The survey can be found here.
Image © Shutterstock
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
