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13

Identity of virulence factors

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Dependencies

Next steps

Identity of parasite virulence factors

Research Question

To identify the factors that aid parasite establishment, feeding and survival. If the host could be immunised against these would it result in the parasite being unable to feed or establish?

Research Gaps and Challenges

  • What does the parasite use in vivo to perform these functions during host-parasite interaction? How does this differ between parasite species, is there any consensus?
  • Downregulation of responses to co-infections?

Solution Routes

  • Establish which parasite genes are being expressed at different stages of establishment, feeding and reproduction and their role in parasite virulence

Dependencies

  • An improved understanding of host-parasite interactions.
  • An in vitro culture system to mimic natural conditions
  • A suitable animal model for host-parasite interactions

State Of the Art

Multiple studies to identify immunomodulators, recent niche-specific transcriptomic work (Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 3;7(1):7214.)

Projects

What activities are planned or underway?

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the beta-tubulin gene and its relationship with treatment response to albendazole in human soil-transmitted helminths in Southern Mozambique

Planned Completion date 14/09/2022

Source Countries:

NetherlandsIconNetherlands

An integrated set of novel approaches to counter the emergence and proliferation of invasive and virulent soil-borne nematodes – Project part: Fostering nematode suppression in soils by cover crops and addition of biological antagonists in Organic Farming (NEM-EMERGE)

Planned Completion date 31/12/2027

Source Countries:

DenmarkIconDenmark