A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Dundee in collaboration with Moredun Scientific has revealed a potential breakthrough in the treatment of Cryptosporidiosis in calves.
This parasitic infection, caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, is a significant concern for farmers, particularly as it leads to severe diarrhoea in young livestock and can result in substantial losses including reduced weight-gain.
Cryptosporidiosis has long been a challenge for farmers, with few effective treatments available. This new development offers hope for reducing both the severity of the disease and the spread of infection within herds. The ability to manage scours and limit parasite transmission is critical for improving calf health and reducing economic losses in the livestock industry.
Dr Beatriz Baragaña, portfolio leader at the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee, said: “The results from the cryptosporidiosis calf efficacy studies at Moredun Scientific with our two most advanced compounds were very exciting.
The studies highlighted their potential to be used to clear infections in neonatal calves in farms. We are also interested in exploring their use for human infections caused by the same parasite.”
Nicola Caldwell, Medicinal Chemistry Team Leader, Drug Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, said Cryptosporidiosis is an under-researched disease that has a major impact on both human and animal health, as well as an economic burden.
“To have the opportunity to test two of our compounds in Cryptosporidium-infected calves at a research facility on our doorstep was hugely beneficial to our project,” Ms Caldwell said.
“The results from these studies were very encouraging and will help drive the development of new cryptosporidiosis treatments for human and veterinary applications.”
Study Overview
The study involved newborn calves with cryptosporidiosis, split into two groups. One group received a promising new compound (developed by researchers at the University of Dundee and the University of Vermont), administered twice daily for seven days, while the other group was given a placebo.
The results were striking:
No Parasite Shedding
Calves treated with either of the two new compounds exhibited no detectable parasite shedding, not only during the treatment period but also for up to seven days post-treatment.
Reduction in Clinical Disease:
Treated calves either had normal faeces or only mild scour, a marked improvement compared to the non-treated calves, which exhibited high levels of parasite shedding, peaking around one week after infection.
Next Steps
While the results of this study are promising, further research is needed to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of the compounds as well as the commercial viability. Larger field trials will be needed before the compound can be licenced for use and produced commercially and be made widely available to farmers and veterinarians.
