[Genetic aspects of sheep resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infections]

The current control of parasitic diseases has been based on anthelmintic drug treatment. In the light of increasing occurrence of anthelmintic-resistant strains of parasites and lack of effective vaccines against gastrointestinal nematodes, the genetic selection of resistant animals seems to be very promising. Taking into account the fact that the immune response is under genetic control, an understanding of the processes involved in the development of adaptive immunity to infections will contribute to better understanding of variabilities in susceptibility and pathology of helminth infection.