Investigating and monitoring anthelmintic resistance: from molecular markers to High Throughput diagnosis tools
Abstract
The control of parasitic nematode infections in humans, livestock and companion animals is critically dependent on anthelmintic treatment. However, the indiscriminate use of anthelmintic drugs has inevitably led to the selection of resistant parasites. In this presentation, identification and functional validation of molecular markers associated with resistance will be presented, opening a discussion about advantages and limitations of the use of C. elegans as model for parasitic species. In addition, as diagnosis tools are of particular interest to monitor resistance spreading and refine strategies for the control resistant parasites, recent advances in automated phenotypic assays performed on larval stages of the parasite will be discussed