Characterising anthelmintic resistance against benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones in gastrointestinal nematode populations of dairy cattle

Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematode populations is endemic across all grazing livestock production systems, particularly in small ruminants, but also in cattle. In this study resistance in Cooperia oncophora and Ostertagia ostertagi to macrocyclic lactones and benzimidazoles (BZ) in Scotland was assessed. The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) remains the primary tool for assessing anthelmintic resistance in the field; however, differing methodologies and recent guideline updates complicate the interpretation of results across studies. Statistical approaches, such as Bayesian methods used by eggCounts and bayescount , produce varying confidence intervals, which further influence conclusions.

The ability of the egg hatch test to detect anthelmintic resistance was evaluated under field conditions, and the EC ₅₀ values obtained enabled assessment of the BZ efficacy at both the farm and GIN species levels, without the need for treatment. Mixed amplicon sequencing was applied, and nemabiome analysis confirmed that C. oncophora and Os. ostertagi were the predominant species. Sequencing of the beta-tubulin isotype-1 gene in strongyle communities identified resistance alleles in multiple species.

The high EC values and elevated frequencies of BZ-resistance alleles on some farms emphasise the importance of in vitro assays and molecular diagnostics for farm-level resistance management. The detection of resistance against both benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones on certain farms highlights the urgency of implementing sustainable control strategies. Although the data presented here are from Scotland, given the high rate of animal movement and similar patterns of anthelmintic usage in the UK, these findings are likely to be relevant across much of the UK.