ProfessionalsMembersResourcesDownloadsGuidelinesParasite ID PostersParasite Life CyclesPodcastsTherapiesTick Hosts, Habitats and PreventionFAQsScientificControlEctoparasitesEndoparasitesVector Borne DiseasesZoonosesTravelling Pets
Cambridge have published an ESCCAP UK & Ireland funded study demonstrating subtle changes in bioflora in Toxocara cati infected cats compared to those free of infection. Similar changes have been observed in humans and other animals infected with intestinal nematodes, raising the question of whether this is a mechanism for immune modulation in infected animals. Larger scale studies are required to see how significant an effect this is and possible associated host effects, but this important preliminary study is the first examining the association between ascarids and commensal gut flora in companion animals. https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-016-1908-4