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Drug resistance in nematodes: a paper tiger or a real problem?
Abstract: The purpose of this review is to illustrate where drug resistance in parasitic nematodes has become a major problem. The mechanisms underlying anthelmintic resistance, the possible reasons for the development of anthelmintic resistance, and recommendations to minimize the further development of anthelmintic resistance in humans will be addressed. Results: Resistance has developed to all drugs of the few anthelmintic classes currently available. Drug resistance has become a major threat to sheep production in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and South Africa. In addition, the treatment of nematode infections in horses has become insufficient because of anthelmintic resistance, whereas resistance in cattle has recently been found in New Zealand and southern America. In contrast, anthelmintic resistance to human helminths has only been reported anecdotally. The rate of development of anthelmintic resistance is determined by the resistance gene frequency and by selection pressure, as illustrated by the concept of 'worms in refugia' in ovine nematode infections. Conclusions: Although anthelmintic resistance has become a major constraint in livestock production of small ruminants, drug resistance is currently not a major issue in the treatment of human nematode infections. However, if recent community treatment programmes are pursued injudiciously, the inevitable evolutionary consequence of anthelmintic resistance in humans might emerge sooner rather than later.
Publication Date: 2003-11-19 PubMed ID: 14624106DOI: 10.1097/00001432-200312000-00008Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article discusses the growing issue of drug resistance in parasitic worms, particularly in livestock, and speculates about the potential for this problem to become significant in human treatments.
Problem Statement
- The paper addresses the issue of drug resistance in parasitic nematodes (worms) that has emerged as a major problem.
- The issue is prevalent especially in livestock like sheep in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and South Africa, and also in horses, whereas in cattle it’s been recently discovered in New Zealand and southern America.
- As of now, in humans, the resistance to anthelmintic drugs has been reported only anecdotally.
Purpose of the Review
- The main objectives of this review are to highlight the areas where drug resistance has become a significant issue, understand the mechanisms leading to anthelmintic resistance, determine the reasons for the development of such resistance, and recommend ways to minimize the development of this resistance in humans.
Methods
- The rate of development of anthelmintic resistance is understood in terms of the frequency of the resistance gene and the selection pressure, as illustrated by the ‘worms in refugia’ concept in ovine nematode infections.
Results
- The results reveal that resistance has developed to all kinds of drugs from the few available anthelmintic classes.
- While anthelmintic resistance has emerged as a major barrier in the livestock production of small ruminants, it is not currently a significant issue in treating human nematode infections.
Conclusions
- The article warns that if community treatment programs continue to be conducted indiscriminately, the inevitable evolutionary consequence might result in the emergence of anthelmintic resistance in humans sooner than expected.
Cite This Article
APA
Kaminsky R.
(2003).
Drug resistance in nematodes: a paper tiger or a real problem?
Curr Opin Infect Dis, 16(6), 559-564.
https://doi.org/10.1097/00001432-200312000-00008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre de Recherche Santé Animale, Novartis Animal Health, St Aubin, Switzerland. ronald.kaminsky@ah.novartis.com
MeSH Terms
- Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
- Drug Resistance / genetics
- Gene Frequency
- Humans
- Nematode Infections / drug therapy
References
This article includes 48 references
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Rajasekharan SK, Ravichandran V, Boya BR, Jayachandran A, Lee J. Repurposing methuosis-inducing anticancer drugs for anthelmintic therapy. PLoS Pathog 2024 Sep;20(9):e1012475.
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- Rajasekharan SK, Lee J. Hydropic anthelmintics against parasitic nematodes. PLoS Pathog 2020 Jan;16(1):e1008202.
- Rajasekharan SK, Raorane CJ, Lee J. LED based real-time survival bioassays for nematode research. Sci Rep 2018 Aug 1;8(1):11531.
- Holm SA, Sörensen CR, Thamsborg SM, Enemark HL. Gastrointestinal nematodes and anthelmintic resistance in Danish goat herds. Parasite 2014;21:37.
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- Knight JS, Baird DB, Hein WR, Pernthaner A. The gastrointestinal nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis down-regulates immune gene expression in migratory cells in afferent lymph. BMC Immunol 2010 Oct 17;11:51.
- Kaminsky R, Gauvry N, Schorderet Weber S, Skripsky T, Bouvier J, Wenger A, Schroeder F, Desaules Y, Hotz R, Goebel T, Hosking BC, Pautrat F, Wieland-Berghausen S, Ducray P. Identification of the amino-acetonitrile derivative monepantel (AAD 1566) as a new anthelmintic drug development candidate. Parasitol Res 2008 Sep;103(4):931-9.
- Viney ME. The biology and genomics of Strongyloides. Med Microbiol Immunol 2006 Jun;195(2):49-54.
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