Editorial
Since the beginnings of the Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology (Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária), it has focused on publishing the results from research on parasite control, with emphasis on chemotherapy for and the epidemiology of many parasitic diseases, directed towards implementation of strategic control programs. An analysis, albeit superficial, has shown that over the last few years, the RBPV has continued with its traditional approach towards prevention and control of parasitic diseases. On the other hand, the availability of new tools for veterinary parasitologists, particularly within the fields of molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and statistics has led to publication of scientific studies that are more directed towards direct and indirect diagnosis of parasites. Veterinarians are increasingly involved in conservation programs and include wild animals in studies on biodiversity and ecosystems. Emerging parasitic diseases require knowledge of protozoans, helminths or arthropods (this last group transmits many diseases), in order to make sensitive and specific diagnoses. The taxonomy of parasites in Veterinary Medicine is of great importance in research and in undergraduate courses and postgraduate programs, since with the use of molecular tools, the level of interspecies variability in different groups of parasites can be known.
With regard to development of antiparasitic vaccines, little has been achieved, given that the evasion mechanisms of each parasite and the parasite-host relationships and their effect mechanisms need to be understood. Much is required regarding knowledge of immune responses, particularly in relation to effector cells and the action of cell mediators, both in natural infections and in vaccinated individuals.
The future of chemotherapy and the phenomenon of nematode parasite resistance to the two major antinematode drug groups (benzimidazoles and macrolytic lactones) are of concern to us. It should be borne in mind that no development of new drugs is expected in the near future, given that the investment required would be very high and little research has been done along these lines.
Thus, Veterinary Parasitology increasingly needs renovation of brains and young researchers, teachers and students, for new research projects to be drawn up: particularly those that seek to impede the action of factors that disseminate zoonoses and to develop vaccines and chemotherapy and phytotherapy products for eliminating and/or controlling parasites.
Rosangela Zacarias Machado
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
21 Dec 2011 -
Date of issue
Dec 2011
