Interactions and epidemiology of nematode worm control in livestock

Certain combinations such as anthelmintic and plants have a small body of research with conflicting information on how the treatments interact with one another. The current research shows the interaction between anthelmintic and plants to be positive for gastro-intestinal nematodes (chapter 2) and negative for ascarids (chapter 3), specifically Parascaris equorum. The direct impact between treatments has also been investigated, with a negative direct interaction being found between condensed tannins and Duddingtonia flagrans (chapter 4).

The GLOWORM-FL model was adapted to predict the larval burdens for plant and D. flagrans in various European regions (chapter 5), this study found there to be clear differences in how combined treatments are targeted which can change dependent on both geographical region and temporally dependent on abiotic factors. The current body of work tries to determine interaction between nematode control but relies heavily on in vitro experimentation.

These results may not transfer directly to in vivo field trials of these interactions. There is clear evidence that the treatment interactions need to be considered and optimum application may change dependent on region, time of year and presence or absence of interaction.