Joe Neary from Cambridge Veterinary School wins Intervet Connect Bursary Prize

Joe Neary from Cambridge Veterinary School has been awarded the overall Intervet Connect Bursary Prize for his research into the cattle parasite, Onchocerca armillata, in North Cameroon.

Filarial nematodes are major pathogens responsible for debilitating diseases in human and animal populations of the tropics. ‘River Blindness’, caused by Onchocerca volvulus, infects an estimated 37 million people, with 90 million at risk of infection in Africa. Sadly, there is no drug safe enough for mass treatment to kill adult worms.

However, many, but not all, filarial nematodes carry endosymbiotic, Rickettsia-like bacteria of the genus Wolbachia.  Furthermore, it has been shown unequivocally that antibiotic treatment of cattle infected with the Wolbachia-positive (W+ve) O. ochengi kills adult worms and this is the result of the prior, sustained depletion of Wolbachia, suggesting that worm survival depends on this bacterium.

The objectives of the study were to determine if O. armillata which affects cattle, (the adult worms of which are very common, lying in the sub-endothelium of the aorta), carries the Wolbachia bacterium and explore the hypothesis that Wolbachia aids the long-term survival and reproduction of certain Onchocerca species (including O. volvulus which causes river blindness).  The research also included an analysis of the host inflammatory cell environment around the parasite.

Whilst undertaking the study, Joe collected samples from cattle at an abattoir in North Cameroon, which he then examined in the laboratory at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.  O. armillata adult worms were found in the aorta of 92.6 per cent of the 54 cattle examined. The presence of Wolbachia in O. armillata was confirmed using immunohistochemistry and PCR techniques. The host inflammatory cell response was unusual for a W+Onchocerca species suggesting that the mechanism of worm survival involved for this motile species may differ from other W+ species. 

Based on the above results, Wolbachia may be responsible for the worm’s survival in the host, but further research is required.  In addition, given the very high prevalence of O. armillata (50 of 54 cattle examined) and the severity of the pathological lesions associated with infection, control of this parasite may be important in improving cattle productivity in endemic areas.

Joe was one of nine veterinary students to gain funding from the Intervet Connect Bursary scheme, which enables students to carry out research both in the UK and abroad via awards of up to £750.  As overall winner, Joe was awarded a trophy and £250 following a day of informative presentations from award recipients.

“Joe’s presentation demonstrated both professionalism and enthusiasm for the research he carried out in North Cameroon which will not only impact the agricultural community but will also have human health implications” comments Jim Hungerford, general manager at Intervet UK.  “Intervet has provided bursaries to vet schools for the last 16 years and the scope of the projects submitted and the energy and commitment that has gone into them is always admirable.”

Intervet produces a special edition Intervet Connect Bursary supplement that features reports and abstracts from students benefiting from the annual bursary award.

Intervet Connect is an information and support service for veterinary students, which provides individuals and recognised groups and societies with educational and sponsorship assistance during college years.  For further information about Intervet Connect, or for copies of the Intervet Connect Bursary supplement, please email support.uk@intervet.com.