Haemonchus contortus: then and now
Haemonchus contortus is the nematode “nemesis” of small ruminant production systems in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its reputation derives from a combination of high fecundity and a short generational interval that provides an enviable developmental plasticity for adaptation or resistance to control measures.
A recent review in the International Journal for Parasitology critically examines the historical and current literature on the host–parasite–environment interaction for H. contortus, particularly in sheep, to highlight changes in parasite distribution and ecology on pasture, changes to the seasonal inhibition of fourth stage larvae and the most appropriate models to identify protective responses and assess vaccines.
Source: International Journal for Parasitology, November 2016.