Delivery of rapid diagnostic tests for sustainable control of parasitic diseases in sheep and cattle

Parasitic diseases are identified in the top five diseases of most concern to livestock farmers in the UK. Anthelmintics are the mainstay of helminth control in UK, traditionally used at specific times of year, treating whole management groups each time, typically in the absence of any diagnosis. As a result, resistance to anthelmintics is widespread. To avoid further evolution and spread of resistance, a reduction in anthelmintic use is required which means treating only if and when there is a parasite burden great enough to threaten health or productivity. Diagnostics are vital to guide this decision making The overarching aims of this application are firstly to establish how to effectively and successfully deliver rapid, on-farm diagnostic tests to the industry in a way that RDTs are taken up widely, applied and interpreted correctly to ensure their use is sustainable. We will use a liver fluke lateral flow assay as a test case and work with farmers, vets and animal health advisors (RAMA/SQPs), to co-develop what a final product should look like to meet the industry's needs. We will also involve stakeholders to co-develop a digital platform to aid interpretation of results and empower farmers and vets to make the right treatment decisions. Secondly we will build on our knowledge and experience around the development of the first generation liver fluke lateral flow test,, exploiting outputs from our current research, to develop a two new rapid diagnostic tests, one for bovine lungworm and a second-generation liver fluke test based on a cocktail of recombinant antigens.