Adaptive management of stochastic parasite challenge in animals under climate change

  • Olivia Ingle

Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy

Abstract

Ruminants host many parasitic species, which establish within their gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is likely, therefore, that several species infect the host at any one time. Understanding the timing and epidemiology between coinfecting species is important, because:

•Coinfections affect parasite transmission, disease outcomes, longevity and treatment success.
•Farm managers have long relied on a predictable timetable, denoting the prevalence of parasites on their farms. The occurrences of these parasites have, reportedly, become more unpredictable, in recent years, associated with the changing climate.

Chapter One reviews literature on parasite coinfections in ruminants, and other mammals, identifying ‘research gaps’ in the interactions between coinfecting parasite species.

Chapter Two observes parasite seasonality through repeated sampling and analysis of faeces from individual first-year grazing lambs. 

Chapter Three examines statistical variations between groups of first-year grazing lambs. Two groups of lambs grazing on different pastures were divided into two treatment subgroups. 

Chapter Four considers the effects of delayed separation on Cryptosporidium prevalence in dairy calves. 

Chapter Five investigates the epidemiology of parasitic coinfections, through climate prediction models. The models assess the timings of larvae availability for two regions in the UK, and the likelihood of overlap of parasites in the future. 

The research underpinning this thesis reaffirms the complexity of parasite establishment; by which interactions such as a changing climate and human interventions (farm management techniques) influence the establishment, prevalence, and seasonality of parasitic infections.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2026.
Date of AwardDec 2024
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Queen's University Belfast
SponsorsNorthern Ireland Department for the Economy
SupervisorMark Robinson (Supervisor) & Eric Morgan (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Parasite
  • coinfection
  • seasonality
  • climate change

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