Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

Dogs can be infected with several species of tapeworms, but show no obvious symptoms. Tapeworms arex000D
generally diagnosed by detection of microscopic eggs produced by the parasites that are passed in the dog'sx000D
stool. However, this technique is not ideal, as eggs are not always passed in stool, different tapeworms producex000D
visually similar eggs, and this requires an experienced diagnostician. Therefore, false negatives are common.x000D
There is increasing interest in techniques to directly detect DNA of parasites in stool of dogs. Aquilax000D
Diagnostics Systems Inc. has developed a point of care tapeworm test for use in veterinary clinics that wouldx000D
enable rapid detection of DNA of tapeworms (the AccutasVET Tapeworm DNA kit). The utility of this test hasx000D
not been confirmed by applying the test to samples from canids known to be infected with confirmed tapewormx000D
species, nor to samples that contain other parasites that could cross react. The only way the company canx000D
currently validate the new test is against traditional fecal flotation for tapeworm eggs, which is in itself flawed.x000D
We have access to trapped wild canids (foxes, coyotes, and wolves) for which we will compare results ofx000D
intestinal tapeworm recovery, egg detection on fecal flotation, and the AccutasVET Tapeworm DNA kit. Sincex000D
wild canids harbour the same species of tapeworms as dogs, this has important applications for veterinariansx000D
and veterinary diagnostic laboratories, allowing rapid diagnosis and treatment of infected dogs. This work alsox000D
has implications for protecting public health as some tapeworms in dogs in Canada (Echinococcus spp.) canx000D
cause serious health problems in people. Consequently, we will specifically compare the performance of thex000D
Aquila product with the proposed new European gold standard DNA-based test for Echinococcusx000D
multilocularis. Our joint research will serve to improve and optimize the Aquila AccutasVET product, lead tox000D
expanded applications and regulatory claims for this product, and lay the groundwork for development of newx000D
commercial products. Finally, this research project will generate new knowledge on the distribution and impactx000D
of parasites transmissible to people and dogs in Canada.