Genetic Resistance to Common Goats’ Worms Is Widespread in Poland

A recent survey examined 81 goat herds across Poland to determine how many worms inside these animals can ignore the common deworming drug benzimidazole.

Methodology

1. Sample Collection
   
   • Poop samples were collected from each herd.
2. Laboratory Work
   
   • Worms were cultured in the lab and identified as Haemonchus contortus via DNA testing.
3. Resistance Markers
   
   • Two tiny DNA changes, E198A and F200Y, were screened using pyrosequencing.
4. Data Analysis
   
   • The prevalence of each marker was calculated for the entire worm population.

Key Findings

• Near‑Universal Resistance
• F200Y detected in 79 of 81 herds.
• E198A detected in 80 of 81 herds.
• Marker Prevalence
• Median F200Y frequency: ≈86 % of worms.
• Median E198A frequency: ≈8 % of worms.
• National Overview
• When all herds were pooled, ≈89 % of worms in Poland carried at least one resistance gene.

Factors Linked to Higher Resistance

Recommendations

• Reevaluate Drug Use: Relying solely on benzimidazole is no longer effective.
• Diversify Treatments: Mix different deworming drugs.
• Long‑Term Plans: Adopt sustainable parasite control strategies.