Re: Regional variations in the nematode worm populations of breeding ewes in New Zealand

Authors: Vlassoff A, Leathwick DM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 51, Issue 5, pp 248, Oct 2003
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Epidemiology, Nematode, Parasites - internal
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: The paper by Hervé et al (2003) which appeared in the August 2003 issue of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal reported on regional differences in the relative proportions of nematode parasite species cultured from faecal samples collected from ewes during lactation. Although care is needed in interpreting the results of such a small-scale survey, the results were broadly in line with expectations; Teladorsagia (Ostertagia) circumcincta predominated in worm eggs shed by lactating ewes throughout New Zealand, except in the northern North Island where Haemonchus contortus tended to predominate. However, we question the validity of the authors’ suggestion that somehow such regional variations in the generic composition of worm egg output by lactating ewes are likely to indicate significant regional differences in the impact of drenching ewes on the development of anthelmintic resistance…

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