Drug-resistant hookworms put pets and people at risk

 

Canine hookworms are becoming increasingly resistant to drugs across Australia, according to new research.

Scientists at The University of Queensland and The University of Sydney have identified widespread resistance to benzimidazole-based dewormers which are commonly used to treat gastrointestinal parasites in dogs.

Dr Swaid Abdullah from UQ's School of Veterinary Science said almost 70 per cent of the hookworm samples studied showed genetic mutations that can cause drug resistance.

"This is a big problem, as hookworm infections can be dangerous for both humans and animals," Dr Abdullah said.

"In dogs, hookworm infections primarily affect the small intestine leading to anaemia, diarrhea, and malnutrition.

"But worse still, the parasites can spread to humans through the skin.

"In people, hookworms from dogs can cause cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) disease -- or 'creeping eruption' -- which is a winding, snake-like rash with blisters and itching."

Dr Abdullah said the best weapons against canine hookworms have been benzimidazole-based dewormers, but they are starting to fail.

"This level of resistance is an urgent issue for pet and public health," he said.

The study team used advanced parasitological diagnostics to examine samples from more than 100 animals in Australia and New Zealand.

The results showed resistance was spreading through hookworm species including the northern hookworm, which had previously been thought to be unaffected.

Professor Jan Šlapeta from The University of Sydney said routine reliance on deworming drugs is likely fuelling the development of resistance

"Responsible parasite management by veterinarians is going to be vital moving forward," Professor Šlapeta said.

"We're calling for a shift toward targeted, risk-based treatment to curb the spread of resistant hookworm.

"Responsible doctors don't give blanket antibiotics to any and all of their patients, and deworming should be approached in the same way if we're to limit drug resistance.

"As resistance spreads, we need ongoing monitoring and the development of new control strategies to protect animal and human health.

"This study is a wake-up call for both pet owners and veterinarians alike -- the era of effortless parasite control may be coming to an end."

Journal Reference:

1. Swaid Abdullah, Thomas Stocker, Hyungsuk Kang, Ian Scott, Douglas Hayward, Susan Jaensch, Michael P. Ward, Malcolm K. Jones, Andrew C. Kotze, Jan Šlapeta. Widespread occurrence of benzimidazole resistance single nucleotide polymorphisms in the canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum, in Australia. International Journal for Parasitology, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.12.001 

Courtesy:

University of Queensland. "Drug-resistant hookworms put pets and people at risk." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 January 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250106221710.htm>.

 

 

 

 

Hornwort genomes provide clues on how plants conquered the land

 

Over 450 million years ago, plants began the epic transition from water to dry land. Among the first pioneers were the ancestors of humble hornworts, a group of small, unassuming plants that have persisted to this day. New research reveals insights into the genetic blueprints of hornworts, uncovering fascinating details about plant evolution and the early days of life on land.

"We began by decoding the genomes of ten hornwort species, representing all known families within this unique plant group," said Peter Schafran, a postdoctoral scientist at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and first author of the study. "What we found was unexpected: hornworts have maintained remarkably stable chromosomes despite evolving separately for over 300 million years."

Unlike many plants, hornworts have not experienced whole-genome duplication (where an organism's entire genetic material is duplicated). This absence of duplication has resulted in stable "autosomes" -- the chromosomes that hold most of an organism's genetic material -- which have remained relatively unchanged across hornworts despite their deep evolutionary history.

However, not all parts of the hornwort genome are so static. The study revealed the presence of "accessory chromosomes" -- extra genetic material that isn't essential for survival but can provide additional benefits. These accessory chromosomes are much more dynamic, evolving rapidly and varying even within individual plants. Additionally, the international team of researchers identified potential sex chromosomes in some species, shedding light on the evolution of plant reproductive strategies.

The study, recently published in Nature Plants, also provided insights into specific plant traits. For example, the researchers uncovered new information about genes involved in flavonoid production (pigments that protect against UV radiation), stomata formation (tiny pores that regulate gas exchange), and hormone signaling. These findings help refine our understanding of how early land plants adapted to their new, challenging environment.

The research project's extensive genetic investigation of hornworts makes them the most thoroughly sequenced plant group relative to their total number of species.

By creating a comprehensive "pan-phylum" dataset for hornworts, the research team has developed a resource to help scientists comprehend how life on Earth has evolved. It provides insights into how plants might adapt to future environmental challenges and could inform efforts to engineer more resilient crops.

"Our research demonstrates the importance of studying diverse organisms, not just well-known model species," said Fay-Wei Li, associate professor at BTI and lead author. "By expanding our knowledge of hornworts, we gain a more complete picture of plant evolution and the incredible diversity of life on our planet."

Journal Reference:

1. Peter Schafran, Duncan A. Hauser, Jessica M. Nelson, Xia Xu, Lukas A. Mueller, Samarth Kulshrestha, Isabel Smalley, Sophie de Vries, Iker Irisarri, Jan de Vries, Kevin Davies, Juan Carlos A. Villarreal, Fay-Wei Li. Pan-phylum genomes of hornworts reveal conserved autosomes but dynamic accessory and sex chromosomes. Nature Plants, 2025; DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01883-w

Courtesy:

Boyce Thompson Institute. "Hornwort genomes provide clues on how plants conquered the land." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 January 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250106132143.htm>.