How cattle defend themselves against liver fluke. Studies on the host response to infestation with Fasciola hepatica. Bovine immune responses to Fasciola hepatica . Veterinary Parasitology 62, 71-82. Fleas, a scratchy problem.
Fleas are one of the most important ectoparasites of companion animals.
Professor Ken Baker of the Department of Small Animal Clinical Studies originally developed a method for generating large quantities of pure saliva from fleas. This subsequently formed the basis of a research project which was undertaken by Dr Paul Torgerson , Professor Baker and Dr Janet Fox . The technique was optimised and the saliva generated was used to investigate the immunopathological responses to flea saliva in dogs and to develop a prototype in vitro diagnostic assay to help in the diagnosis of flea-bite hypersensitivity. Large animals are an unusual host for fleas. The most interesting finding is that the flea on ruminants in Libya is a separate subspecies of flea Ctenocephalides felis strongylus .