Spanish veterinarians design a test to detect sheep infected by nematodes through saliva

In temperate countries, the high prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in small ruminants is a major limitation in sheep production systems, reducing milk, meat and wool production on farms and affects its economic performance. According to the most recent published reports, Teladorsagia circumcincta is the most prevalent GIN species in sheep in these regions, followed by Trichostrongylus spp., Haemonchus contortus, Oesophagostomum spp. and Chabertia ovine. Broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs have been used for more than 40 years to effectively control infections. However, its inadequate administration has led to the emergence and evolution of anthelmintic resistance (AR). Due to the progression of RA worldwide, it has been necessary to develop alternative control methods, such as selective treatment, grazing management or biological control, among others, to reduce the use of anthelmintic drugs. One of the most promising alternative methods is the selection of hosts with a ...