Haemonchus Anthelmintic ResisTance - Evolution Mechanisms and Innovative Solutions (HARTEMIS)
The project was financed by grant no. ICRAD/III/27/HARTREMIS/2025. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 862605
Project duration 01.01.2025-31.12.2027
Consortium
(P1) prof. Anne Lespine (Coordinator) – Toulouse University INTHERES, National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, France (INRAE)
(P2) prof. Philippe Jacquiet – National Veterinary School of Toulouse, France (ENVT)
(P3) prof. Eric Morgan – Queen’s University Belfast, UK, North Ireland (QUB)
(P4) dr Marcin Mickiewicz – Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Polska (SGGW), marcin_mickiewicz@sggw.edu.pl
Project summary
The HARTEMIS Project is an international research initiative focusing on the growing challenge of resistance in the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus to available anthelmintic drugs (mainly macrocyclic lactones) in sheep flocks across Europe, as well as on the search for innovative and sustainable methods of controlling gastrointestinal nematode infections. The project is implemented by a consortium of four research centres from France, the United Kingdom, and Poland, combining expertise in molecular mechanisms of resistance, epidemiological modelling, implementation of parasite control strategies in sheep flocks, and economic and social analysis of their effectiveness.
Project Aim
Haemonchus contortus is a blood-feeding nematode of the gastrointestinal tract of small ruminants, whose presence leads to anaemia, reduced animal productivity, and substantial economic losses for farmers. The rapidly increasing resistance of this parasite to macrocyclic lactones—the main group of anthelmintic drugs currently used in small ruminant breeding—poses a serious threat to animal health and farm profitability. Additionally, climate change facilitates the spread of infections into new areas of Europe, particularly northward and into higher mountain regions.
Research Activities within the Project
- Detailed monitoring of the occurrence and resistance of Haemonchus contortus to macrocyclic lactone drugs in sheep flocks in various European climatic zones.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms of resistance to macrocyclic lactones using Haemonchus contortus strains from France, the UK, and Poland, as well as the Caenorhabditis elegans model to better understand adaptation to drugs and environmental stress.
- Implementation of innovative treatment and flock management strategies, such as selective treatment, pasture rotation, alternative treatment methods, and rationalization of drug use.
- Development and validation of new diagnostic tools for detecting parasite resistance and identifying genetic markers crucial to treatment effectiveness.
- Assessment of the economic, social, and environmental impacts of implemented solutions and development of practical guidelines for sheep flock owners.
Project Coordination and Partners
The project is coordinated by the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), with scientific responsibilities divided as follows:
- National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (France, INRAE): molecular mechanisms of resistance, diagnostic tools.
- National Veterinary School of Toulouse (ENVT), France: flock management, on-farm implementation of solutions.
- Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), United Kingdom: epidemiological modelling, climate experiments.
- Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Poland: economic and social analysis.
Expected Outcomes and Deliverables
The project will produce:
- Risk maps of the occurrence and spread of parasite resistance in European countries.
- A set of new diagnostic tools and genetic markers of resistance to macrocyclic lactone drugs.
- Practical recommendations for flock owners on effective control of parasitic worm infections.
- An evaluation of the costs related to the impact of gastrointestinal nematodes on animal health and drug resistance, enabling farmers to make informed economic decisions.
The HARTEMIS Project will run for 36 months in close international collaboration. Its results are expected to improve the effectiveness of parasite control, reduce economic losses, and contribute to the development of innovative solutions within the European livestock sector.
News
The ICRAD white book is now available!
Descriptions of all projects implemented under the ICRAD ERA-NET program are available at International Coordination of Research on Infectious Animal Diseases (ICRAD) 2019-2025. A European network initiative advancing animal health and welfare and w serwisie DTU Research Database