This third volume in the successful 'Drug Discovery in Infectious Diseases' series is the first to deal with drug discovery in helminthic infections in human and animals. The result is a broad overview of different drug target evaluation methods, including specific examples of successful drug development against helminthes, and with a whole section devoted to vaccine development. With its well-balanced mix of high-profile contributors from academia and industry, this handbook and reference will appeal to a wide audience, including parasitologists, pharmaceutical industry, epidemiologists, and veterinary scientists.

This book provides updated information on helminth infections, with proposals for new treatments and biological factors of risk, the development of vaccines for the control of helminthiasis and explains the latest research on the field. It also delves into multi-omics, diagnosis, immunology, and novel molecule targets. In addition, the book examines topics such as host-parasite interaction. Key Features: • Provides basic and clinical evidence based on molecular interactions to address the risks and benefits of helminthiasis • Presents the results of new vaccine development • Discusses new and old therapeutic approaches in helminth infections • Delves into advances in the molecular and immune response in helminth infection • Proposes a One Health approach to study helminth infections • Analyzes the controversies and confusions in the management, biology, and control strategies of helminth infections • Examines the basic biology of helminth parasites

This book aims to provide fundamental knowledge and information for research in molecular systematics on parasitic helminths (nematode, trematode, cestode). The shreds of evidence of molecular systematics studies will be compiled and discussed in terms of the utilities and pitfalls of the genetic marker used for various purposes, which have been implemented for molecular systematics of parasitic nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes. Moreover, this book will also provide the procedure for research on molecular systematics and DNA taxonomy as the guideline to explore parasitic helminths. Finally, the further perspectives of utilizing genetic markers for molecular studies on parasitic helminths will be addressed in the context of applications from the laboratory to fieldwork such as DNA barcoding and environmental DNA metabarcoding of parasitic helminths. The book will benefit postgraduate students and researchers requiring the detailed knowledge of molecular systematics, as well as researchers desiring a guideline to select genetic markers and analyze DNA sequences to make phylogenetic inferences

Helminths include one of the most diverse and geographically widespread groups of parasites which infect humans and animals. About 100 species have been reported from humans, usually producing asymptomatic infection or mild symptoms. However, about 20 species are of public health importance causing severe or even fatal infections. In many parts of Africa parasitic helminths are responsible for enormous economic losses, hampering rural development programmes and reducing the pace of economic growth. Many parasitic helminths are either zoonoses (diseases naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man) or have evolved from animal parasites. The modification of the environment through wars, famine and the ever expanding and increasingly mobile human population brings people into close contact with new environments and wildlife species which makes the study and control of zoonoses of special interest and complexity. In Africa, the transmission of helminth parasites is highly influenced by the ever changing social and cultural differences between diverse groups of peoples and their interaction with wild and domestic animals. It is not surprising, therefore, that approaches to the study and control of parasitic zoonoses require intersectoral cooperation between physicians, veterinarians, parasitologists, zoologists, demographers, anthropologists, engineers and economists to provide the breadth of knowledge and expertise required to develop our understanding of these diseases and to devise methods for their control. This book provides a selective compilation of parasitic helminths, many of which are zoonoses which create important economic and public health problems in Africa.

When Professor John Sprent first suggested, in 1982, that the Australian Society for Parasitology should bid for the opportunity to mount the Sixth International Congress of Parasitology, the immediate reaction was one of disbelief. However, in the two years or so before ICOPA 5, in Toronto, he used his considerable powers to the utmost and spent himself unstintingly in persuading Australian parasitologists to put together a bid. The Society inevitably agreed, for it is difficult to prevent such a determined and eminent man from getting his own way! A case for an Australian venue was prepared and, as President, I was charged with the task of convincing the delegates in Toronto that Australia was worth going all the way to see. The events of that meeting are now far in the past; suffice to say that, in the end, Australia won by the narrowest of margins, largely due to the energy of my inventive colleagues who put the case for Australia at every possible and improbable moment. I do not remember a great deal about the scientific aspects of ICOPA 5. I was far too preoccupied with an awful spectre, that of telling John Sprent that I had failed, to pay attention to much other than lobbying for votes. I do remember, however, telling myself how much I would enjoy the next ICOPA without the terrible responsibility of capturing ICOPA 7.

A critical account of the available techniques for the in vitro cultivation of parasitic helminths (Trematoda, Cestoda, Nematoda, and Acanthocephala), concentrating on those which have been reasonably successful and can be used for teaching or research purposes. In addition to describing basic techn

Fish are a unique group which harbour some 30,000 species of helminths that do not occur in other vertebrates. This book deals specifically with parasitic worms of fish. It covers every aspect of their biology including identification, life-cycles, hostparasite relationships and ecology. It discusses approaches to studying parasitic worm infections, preference of species for particular host species, preference for dwelling in certain organs and tissues, biogeography, seasonality of infections and how parasites have evolved in parallel with their hosts. The book concludes with discussions of fish worms causing diseases in nature and in fish-farms.

Parasitic flatworms include Cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes, schistosomes, etc) and are the cause of a number of major diseases of medical and veterinary significance. Much recent research has focused on molecular biology and genomics. this book aims to review advances in our understanding of these and related topics such as flatworm biochemistry, immunology and physiology. Where appropriate, comparisons are made between different parasitic flatworms and between parasitic and free-living species. Contributors to the book include leading authorities from Europe, North and South America, and Australia.