Nerve and muscle systems in helminth parasites interact in a highly co-ordinated manner to control movements associated with alimentation, reproduction, locomotion and attachment. All metazoan parasites rely on some or all of these activities for their survival. For a long time it has been known that neuromuscular function in parasites is susceptible to chemotherapeutic attack, and that compromising this aspect of parasite biology is sufficient to cure many parasite infections. This volume outlines the latest research in this area, showing why this system is so amenable to drug intervention and outlining potential targets for new treatments. Written by experts in the field, this volume will be invaluable to anyone interested in the molecular biology, physiology and biochemistry of parasites as well as those looking to exploit these for the creation of new treatments.

This collection of articles, edited by D. W. Halton, is the specially commissioned supplement to the journal Parasitology, volume 113.

Parasitic infections are the most prevalent of human diseases, and researchers continue to face the challenge of designing drugs to successfully counteract them. Chemotherapeutic Targets in Parasites analyzes the critical metabolic reactions and structural features essential for parasite survival, and advocates the latest molecular strategies with which to identify effective antiparasitic agents. An introduction to the early development of parasite chemotherapy is followed by an overview of biophysical techniques and genomic and proteomic analysis. Several chapters are devoted to specific types of chemotherapeutic agents and their targets in malaria, trypanosomes, leishmania and amitochondrial protists. Chapters on helminths include metabolic, neuromuscular, microtubular and tegumental targets. Emphasized throughout is the design of more selective and less toxic drugs than in the past. This book will be especially relevant to medical and clinical researchers and to graduate students in parasitology, pharmacology, medicine, microbiology, and biochemistry.

The structural simplicity of nematode nervous systems has provided a useful resource for studies on basic neurobiology. Two species have underpinned basic neuroscience research in phylum Nematoda, the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the pig parasitic nematode Ascaris suum due to their genetic tractability and large size, respectively. The fact that most of the chemotherapeutic targets for the treatment of roundworm parasite infections of animals and man associate with neuromuscular function means that nematode neurobiology research resonates beyond discovery biology and informs parasite control. These diverse drivers for the interrogation of nematode neurobiology have exposed a unique approach to the regulation of complex behavioral traits, encompassing structural simplicity with profound chemical complexity. The latter embraces extreme diversity in both the ligand-gated ion channel subunit complements for classical neurotransmitters and in the neuropeptide ligands that signal mostly via G-protein coupled receptors, offering compelling opportunities for parasite control-target discovery and validation.

The need to continually discover new agents for the control or treatment of invertebrate pests and pathogens is undeniable. Agriculture, both animal and plant, succeeds only to the extent that arthropod and helminth consumers, vectors and pathogens can be kept at bay. Humans and their companion animals are also plagued by invertebrate parasites. The deployment of chemical agents for these purposes inevitably elicits the selection of resistant populations of the targets of control, necessitating a regular introduction of new kinds of molecules. Experience in other areas of chemotherapy has shown that a thorough understanding of the biology of disease is an essential platform upon which to build a discovery program. Unfortunately, investment of research resources into understanding the basic physiology of invertebrates as a strategy to illuminate new molecular targets for pesticide and parasiticide discovery has been scarce, and the pace of introduction of new molecules for these indications has been slowed as a result. An exciting and so far unexploited area to explore in this regard is invertebrate neuropeptide physiology. This book was assembled to focus attention on this promising field by compiling a comprehensive review of recent research on neuropeptides in arthropods and helminths, with contributions from many of the leading laboratories working on these systems.

Covering a wide range of rapidly-developing fields of research into parasitic nematodes, this comprehensive volume discusses the genetics, biochemistry and immunology of nematode parasites of humans as well as domestic animals and plants. This fully-updated edition also covers new advances including horizontal gene transfer, immune expulsion mechanisms, genetics of susceptibility in humans, nematode protein structures, role of bacterial symbionts, intrinsic immune response, host immune system modulation, modulation of allergic and autoimmune diseases and the use of parasitic nematodes or their products as therapeutics.

Lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient infection prevention and control promote the spread of parasites. The discovery of antiparasitic drugs was considered a milestone in the veterinary and medical sciences, but their use has subsequently become limited due to the emergence of resistance. While plenty of attention has been given in human and animal health communities to the global threat of antimicrobial drug resistance, specific antiparasitic advice is less available. This book provides an in-depth view of the issue for parasitologists, pharmacologists and veterinary scientists. Specifically discussing antiparasitic drug resistance mechanisms and factors responsible for the problem.