A landmark Charles Sturt University (CSU) research project aims to deliver new and simple diagnostic test and treatment options for liver fluke, a parasite which causes an estimated $90 million of lost production in Australian livestock industries and billions of dollars internationally.

 

There’s been little research on the emergence of parasites resistant to drench preparations containing the antiparasitic agent, triclabendazole, which are used to control liver fluke in cattle.

 

The Australian Research Council-funded (ARC) project is seeking input from cattle producers who think their livestock may be carrying resistant flukes.

 

Professor Nick Sangster, Professor Terry Spithill and Dr Yvette Brockwell from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga are collaborating with Dr Glenn Anderson from veterinary pharmaceutical company, VIRBAC on the three year project.

 

The research has several parts: to investigate the presence of resistance; to map genetic diversity in flukes; to link the findings to resistance; and to validate a resistance diagnostic test for field application. The work will also be benchmarked with international collaborators.

 

“Stock with fluke infection show signs of bottle jaw and failure to gain weight,” Professor Sangster said. “They have a history of grazing swampy areas or around water courses. If cattle don’t improve after drenching it is cause for concern. Producers who are planning post-summer fluke treatments should notify us first if they think they have had past treatment failures.”

 

District Veterinarians in the NSW Livestock Pest and Health Authority and Victorian Department of Primary Industry are collaborating in locating 10 beef producers in their states who have flukey cattle available for testing.

 

“A benefit for producers who are involved is to get to know the resistance status of flukes on their property and to gain the support of the District Veterinarians in a management plan. Thirty animals are needed from each herd for the trial,” Professor Sangster said.

 

Results from testing and trials of infected cattle will be used to validate a new diagnostic test for improved fluke management.