Development of novel methods for preparing and analysing gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in livestock remains a challenge to farmers. To address this problem, several techniques for rapid and inexpensive analysis and diagnosis were developed or optimised, with a focus on non-invasive sampling. These included a commercial milk cream separator and manufactured devices to separate and purify nematode eggs, analysis via imaging recognition techniques and DNA-based diagnostics. The outcomes of these experiments were functioning image recognition software, and a rapid and inexpensive method for preparing nematode eggs for PCR with a custom set of multiplex primers targeting three common parasite species.