contortus worm burden and FEC, indicating that they may impair parasite development or fecundity ( Strain and Stear, 2001, Amarante et al., 2005 and Bricarello et al., 2005). Animals with more nasal bot fly larvae tended to display a smaller worm burden (Silva et al., 2012). It has been previously

demonstrated that nematode egg production, worm burden and clinical signs of GIN infections are significantly depressed in mixed infections with O. ovis ( Dorchies et al., 1997, Terefe et al., 2005 and Yacob STAT inhibitor et al., 2006). O. ovis infestation stimulates the immune response, which may have a negative influence on GIN parasitism via the enhanced recruitment of activated inflammatory cells (eosinophils, mast cells and globule leucocytes) and/or their products towards the gut

mucosa. Eosinophils are considered to be important in the response against helminth infections and are frequently associated with Afatinib the expression of resistance to parasites ( Dawkins et al., 1989, Stear et al., 2002, Balic et al., 2006 and Shakya et al., 2011). These alterations might create an unfavourable environment to the nematodes, thereby reducing worm length and fecundity ( Terefe et al., 2005), an occurrence that could explain the low FEC and worm burden in animals of both breeds in this study. In conclusion, the immune responses against O. ovis and GIN were very similar and involved the recruitment of inflammatory cells and production of immunoglobulins against the parasites. However, the host-parasite interaction may be more well balanced for O. ovis, allowing parasites infestation without acute disease; while is less balanced for Haemonchus, that frequently cause acute disease and death in sheep. We are grateful for the technical assistance provided by Ms. Camila O. Carvalho and Mr. Valdir PD184352 (CI-1040) A. Paniguel. This study was funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado

de São Paulo (FAPESP, Grant number 2008/53494-2). Bruna F. Silva (Grant number 2007/58244-1) and César C. Bassetto (Grant number 2009/03504-4) received financial support from FAPESP and Alessandro F. T. Amarante from CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil). “
“Disease caused by Haemonchus contortus is one of the major constraints to the production of sheep and goats in the tropics and subtropics, and causes substantial losses to farmers worldwide. The anthelmintic properties of copper-containing compounds have been known for a long time ( Wright and Bozicevich, 1931), but the worldwide increase in anthelmintic resistance has prompted more recent investigations into the renewed use of copper as an anthelmintic ( Burke et al., 2007). Specifically, investigations have focused on copper oxide wire particles (COWP) which have been shown to have an anthelmintic effect against abomasal nematodes, particularly H. contortus ( Bang et al., 1990).