 Diagnostics: Parasitic Diseases | |  Endo- and ectoparasites are of major economic importance to the
livestock industries in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world, which
includes South Africa. Heavy infestations can cause loss of blood, reduce
live-weight gain rates and lower milk yield and may cause dire direct damage.
Ectoparasites are also recognized world-wide as major vectors of a number of
diseases of man, domestic and game animals - ranging from arboviruses,
rickettsiae and spirochaetes to parasitic protozoa. Parasites therefore impact
both directly, by virtue of heavy infestations, and indirectly, through the
transmission of diseases: at the macro-economic level, where exports and the
commercial production of protein is of major concern; at the micro economic
level, where the subsistence economy of the resource-poor farmer may be at risk
and in a social context, where human diseases and zoonoses are concerned.
Long-term research since the time of Arnold Theiler in the early
20th century has placed the PVVD Programme in the fortunate position of having
wide baseline knowledge of these parasites, their effects and associated
diseases epidemiologies. Based on this tradition of research excellence, the
PVVD Programme continues to strive to attain the ARC motto of ‘Excellence in
Research and Development’
The EPV Programme The
EPV Programme of the ARC-OVR aspires to provide an
outstanding contribution to animal health in South Africa and Africa by
placing
its projects and activities strategically in the fields of parasitic
helminths, insect and tick vectors, arbovirology and vector-borne
pathogens with regard to
the maintenance of a high standard of excellence in research and
development, diagnostic parasitology, helminth
taxonomy, technology transfer and in-service and formal training as
shown by its
recent achievements and publications.
International and National collaborations enhance our activities. The Programme is also the custodian of three National Assets (The Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, the National Collection of Insect Vectors, and the National Collection of Animal Helminths). Unique to South Africa is the production of
Tick-borne disease (TBD) live blood vaccines, which commenced more than 50 years
ago and has now also been assigned National Asset status. Research on vaccine
development includes Heartwater and wireworm (Haemonchus contortus).
Fields of interest and/or strengths In vitro cultivation of various protozoal and
rickettsial organisms of domestic and wild antelope species Tick and helminth biosystematics and ecology Epidemiology of ticks, tick-borne diseases and helminths
related to integrated control Basic and advanced training in tick identification Alternative control strategies to combat the development of
anthelmintic resistance Control and prevention of tapeworm-related health problems in
animals and man
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