
Overview
Background
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are known for a long time to contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. These lead to epidemics, which upset health security and affect the socio-economy of a nation. Vectors and VBDs are all sensitive to climate, and the ongoing trend of climate change and variable weather conditions may lead to a change in the global scenario of these diseases. With changes in global climate, VBDs may shift to new regions, suitable for the pathogens and their vectors, and as such may switch to new host species. Being a parasitologist, I study parasites of veterinary importance and related diseases. My special research interest lies in understanding how vectors interact with pathogens, the effect of climate change on their ecology and epidemiology, and related sustainable control strategies.
To predict future changes in the ecology and epidemiology of the vectors and VBDs, first, we need to work on and understand the three primary entities within this disease transmission system, i.e. the pathogen, vector and the host. Secondly, we need to identify the climatic and environmental requirements of the vectors and vector-borne pathogens and the underlying cycle of events which run between them to help sustain the disease in a particular region. The global distribution of various VBDs and possibilities of spill over of these diseases between various regions and animal and vector species interests me the most. In the UK, my research was focussed on molecular and spatial epidemiology of ticks and flea-borne diseases. Further, I worked on a climate-based predictive model for the global distribution and risk of Haemonchus contortus (round worm of sheep). This model predicts the survival of worm larvae on pasture, based on the temperature and precipitation data and can help to predict the future spatial and temporal distribution and spread of H. contortus. Further, this model, along with targeted selective treatment (TST) of sheep, could help in reducing the pace at which anthelmintic resistance is developing in H. contortus and may help in sustainable sheep farming.
Currently, my lab is investigating the temporal and spatial distribution of zoonotic parasites among pet dogs in various regions of Southeast Queensland. In this project, we are collecting data from dog owners through an online survey pertaining to their knowledge of risk associated with dog parasites and their transmission into humans. Also, we are collecting dog faecal samples for microscopic and PCR analysis for various parasite eggs and oocysts. The data obtained from this survey will be analysed for determining the risk of spread of parasites among dogs as well as to humans in shared spaces and the relative risk of infection between parks.
Another study being conducted in my lab is about identifying drug resistance mechanisms in canine hookworms in Australia. The study will provide a baseline data on the frequencies of SNPs, known to confer benzimidazole resistance in animal helminths.
We have recently received an NHMRC 2021 grant looking into Targeted surveillance of major zoonotic arboviral and other vector-borne diseases in Australia using spectroscopy technology. Infectious diseases transmitted by vectors represent a significant health threat to the Australian biosecurity. Detection methods used in current surveillance of these pathogens are expensive, time consuming and require highly trained personnel. We propose to conduct a set of experiments to test the best spectroscopy technique to identify infected vectors and demonstrate its capacity as surveillance tool for vector control programs against these pathogens.
I always look forward to collaborating with fellow researchers within Australia and from different parts of the world to gain different perspectives of research of my interest.
Availability
- Dr Swaid Abdullah is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
- Masters (Research) of Veterinary Science, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Bristol
Research interests
-
Veterinary Parasitology and Zoonoses
My research interest is in understanding vector, pathogen and host interactions, along with the impact of climate change on their ecology and epidemiology, and related sustainable control strategies. I have an expertise in ticks and tick-borne pathogens and I am currently investigating the prevalence and spatial distribution these pathogens among wild and feral canids across Queensland state. For past 5 years, I have been working on hookworm infection in owned dogs and dogs in various adoption centres and shelter facilities across the Southeast Queensland. I am especially interested in effective worm control, prevention of zoonoses, and drug resistance development in these parasites.
Works
Search Professor Swaid Abdullah’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Widespread occurrence of benzimidazole resistance single nucleotide polymorphisms in the canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum, in Australia
Abdullah, Swaid, Stocker, Thomas, Kang, Hyungsuk, Scott, Ian, Hayward, Douglas, Jaensch, Susan, Ward, Michael P., Jones, Malcolm K., Kotze, Andrew C. and Šlapeta, Jan (2025). Widespread occurrence of benzimidazole resistance single nucleotide polymorphisms in the canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum, in Australia. International Journal for Parasitology. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.12.001
2024
Journal Article
Capillaria hepatica (syn. Calodium hepaticum) infection and factors influencing infection carriage in rats (Rattus spp.) in Hong Kong
Sandy, Jeanine, Uea-Anuwong, Theethawat, Kiu, Lam Hoi, Lee, Lisa K.F., Abdullah, Swaid and Magouras, Ioannis (2024). Capillaria hepatica (syn. Calodium hepaticum) infection and factors influencing infection carriage in rats (Rattus spp.) in Hong Kong. One Health, 19 100878, 100878. doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100878
2024
Journal Article
Assessing perceptions of flea and tick infestation risk in Southeast Queensland, Australia
Proboste, Tatiana, Dennis, Elisa, Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J., Abdullah, Swaid and Clark, Nicholas J. (2024). Assessing perceptions of flea and tick infestation risk in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 54 101087, 101087. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101087
2024
Journal Article
Pyrantel resistance in canine hookworms in Queensland, Australia
Dale, Ashley, Xu, Geoffrey, Kopp, Steven R., Jones, Malcolm K., Kotze, Andrew C. and Abdullah, Swaid (2024). Pyrantel resistance in canine hookworms in Queensland, Australia. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 48 100985, 1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.100985
2023
Conference Publication
A comparison between visual scoring and a digital object counting platform to estimate buffalo fly counts on cattle.
Feez, A. M., Randhawa, I., Perkins, N. R., Wood, B. J. and Abdullah, S. (2023). A comparison between visual scoring and a digital object counting platform to estimate buffalo fly counts on cattle.. 2023 ASP Annual Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 5-8 September.
2023
Journal Article
Associations between canine hookworm infection and dog owners' awareness, perception, and behaviour: a cross‐sectional study in Brisbane, Queensland, 2019–2020
Owada, Kei, Abdullah, Swaid, Clark, Nicholas, Nguyen, Tu and Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J. (2023). Associations between canine hookworm infection and dog owners' awareness, perception, and behaviour: a cross‐sectional study in Brisbane, Queensland, 2019–2020. Zoonoses and Public Health, 70 (6), 498-510. doi: 10.1111/zph.13059
2023
Journal Article
Animal and human dirofilariasis in India and Sri Lanka: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Thilakarathne, Sandani S., Yuen, Nicholas K. Y., Hassan, Mohammad Mahmudul, Yahathugoda, Thishan C. and Abdullah, Swaid (2023). Animal and human dirofilariasis in India and Sri Lanka: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Animals, 13 (9) 1551, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/ani13091551
2021
Journal Article
Perceptions of dog owners towards canine gastrointestinal parasitism and associated human health risk in Southeast Queensland
Nguyen, Tu, Clark, Nicholas, Jones, Malcolm K., Herndon, Aaron, Mallyon, John, Soares Magalhaes, Ricardo J. and Abdullah, Swaid (2021). Perceptions of dog owners towards canine gastrointestinal parasitism and associated human health risk in Southeast Queensland. One Health, 12 100226, 100226. doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100226
2021
Journal Article
Prevalence and distribution of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks collected from dogs in the United Kingdom
Keyte, Sophie, Abdullah, Swaid, James, Kate, Newbury, Hannah, Helps, Chris, Tasker, Séverine and Wall, Richard (2021). Prevalence and distribution of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks collected from dogs in the United Kingdom. Veterinary Record, 188 (8), e12. doi: 10.1002/vetr.12
2020
Journal Article
Fleas infesting cats and dogs in Great Britain: spatial distribution of infestation risk and its relation to treatment
Cooper, A. R., Nixon, E., Vineer, H. R., Abdullah, S., Newbury, H. and Wall, R. (2020). Fleas infesting cats and dogs in Great Britain: spatial distribution of infestation risk and its relation to treatment. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 34 (4) mve.12462, 452-458. doi: 10.1111/mve.12462
2020
Journal Article
The prevalence of Rickettsia felis DNA in fleas collected from cats and dogs in the UK
Abdullah, Swaid, Lait, Phillipa, Helps, Chris, Newbury, Hannah and Wall, Richard (2020). The prevalence of Rickettsia felis DNA in fleas collected from cats and dogs in the UK. Veterinary Parasitology, 282 109143, 109143. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109143
2019
Journal Article
Pathogens in fleas collected from cats and dogs: distribution and prevalence in the UK
Abdullah, Swaid, Helps, Chris, Tasker, Séverine, Newbury, Hannah and Wall, Richard (2019). Pathogens in fleas collected from cats and dogs: distribution and prevalence in the UK. Parasites and Vectors, 12 (1) 71, 71. doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3326-x
2019
Journal Article
Fungi in acidic fire: A potential source of industrially important enzymes
Hassan, Noor, Rafiq, Muhammad, Rehman, Maliha, Sajjad, Wasim, Hasan, Fariha and Abdullah, Swaid (2019). Fungi in acidic fire: A potential source of industrially important enzymes. Fungal Biology Reviews, 33 (1), 58-71. doi: 10.1016/j.fbr.2018.08.002
2018
Journal Article
Spectrophotometric analysis of lipid used to examine the phenology of the tick Ixodes ricinus
Abdullah, Swaid, Davies, Saran and Wall, Richard (2018). Spectrophotometric analysis of lipid used to examine the phenology of the tick Ixodes ricinus. Parasites and vectors, 11 (1) s13071-018-3102-3, 523. doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-3102-3
2018
Journal Article
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., haemoplasma species and Hepatozoon spp. in ticks infesting cats: A large-scale survey
Duplan, Florent, Davies, Saran, Filler, Serina, Abdullah, Swaid, Keyte, Sophie, Newbury, Hannah, Helps, Chris R., Wall, Richard and Tasker, Séverine (2018). Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., haemoplasma species and Hepatozoon spp. in ticks infesting cats: A large-scale survey. Parasites and Vectors, 11 (1) 201. doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2789-5
2018
Journal Article
Prevalence and distribution of Borrelia and Babesia species in ticks feeding on dogs in the U.K
Abdullah, S., Helps, C., Tasker, S., Newbury, H. and Wall, R. (2018). Prevalence and distribution of Borrelia and Babesia species in ticks feeding on dogs in the U.K. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 32 (1), 14-22. doi: 10.1111/mve.12257
2018
Journal Article
Tick-borne pathogens in ticks and blood samples collected from camels in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia
Alanazi, A.D., Abdullah, S., Helps, C., Wall, R., Puschendorf, R., Alharbi, S.A., Abdel-Shafy, S. and Shaapan, R.M. (2018). Tick-borne pathogens in ticks and blood samples collected from camels in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Zoological Research, 14 (1), 30-36. doi: 10.3923/ijzr.2018.30.36
2017
Journal Article
Contributions to the phylogeny of Ixodes (Pholeoixodes) canisuga, I. (Ph.) kaiseri, I. (Ph.) hexagonus and a simple pictorial key for the identification of their females
Hornok, Sándor, Sándor, Attila D., Beck, Relja, Farkas, Róbert, Beati, Lorenza, Kontschán, Jeno, Takács, Nóra, Földvári, Gábor, Silaghi, Cornelia, Meyer-Kayser, Elisabeth, Hodžić, Adnan, Tomanović, Snežana, Abdullah, Swaid, Wall, Richard, Estrada-Peña, Agustín, Duscher, Georg Gerhard and Plantard, Olivier (2017). Contributions to the phylogeny of Ixodes (Pholeoixodes) canisuga, I. (Ph.) kaiseri, I. (Ph.) hexagonus and a simple pictorial key for the identification of their females. Parasites and Vectors, 10 (1) 545. doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2424-x
2017
Journal Article
Prevalence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens: Babesia and Borrelia species in ticks infesting cats of Great Britain
Davies, Saran, Abdullah, Swaid, Helps, Chris, Tasker, Séverine, Newbury, Hannah and Wall, Richard (2017). Prevalence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens: Babesia and Borrelia species in ticks infesting cats of Great Britain. Veterinary Parasitology, 244, 129-135. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.07.033
2017
Journal Article
Distribution of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus in the United Kingdom
Medlock, J. M., Hansford, K. M., Vaux, A. G. C., Cull, B., Abdullah, S., Pietzsch, M. E., Wall, R., Johnson, N. and Phipps, L. P. (2017). Distribution of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus in the United Kingdom. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 31 (3), 281-288. doi: 10.1111/mve.12235
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Swaid Abdullah is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Surveillance of efficacy of commonly used wormers against canine hookworms.
Canine hookworms are one of the most prevalent and pathogenic gastrointestinal parasites infecting pet dogs. Hookworms reside in the gastro-intestinal tract of animals and feed on blood; infection in dogs leads to iron-deficiency anaemia, hypoalbuminemia, and enteritis, characterized by diarrhoea that may contain blood. As a principle means for treatment and prevention of hookworms in dogs, benzimidazole (BZ) or macrocyclic lactones based drugs are used on a regular basis, particularly in shelters and kennels. These drugs are inexpensive and widely available. Veterinarians, pet owners and facility managers employ these drug classes on the basis that they are safe and highly effective at preventing hookworm infection. However, sustained use of these drugs over the last half century, particularly in intensive environments such as shelters, raises the possibility that drug-resistant worm isolates have been selected over time. Resistance to multiple drug classes has already been confirmed in canine hookworms around the world, including in Australia. This is not only a concern for canine health; inability to control hookworm infections via therapeutic means could present serious public health risks due to the ability of this parasite to cause disease in humans (zoonotic disease). Hence, there is a need for a deeper investigation into the likelihood of anthelmintic resistance among canine hookworms.
Preferred educational background
Applications will be judged on a competitive basis taking into account the applicant's previous academic record, publication record, honours and awards, and employment history.
A working knowledge of basic parasitological techniques and molecular biology including DNA/RNA extractions and qualitative and quantitative PCRs, microbiology techniques, handling biosecurity samples and geographical information systems would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of life science, biology, entomology, infectious disease epidemiology, species ecology and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of biology, parasitology and geospatial modelling is highly desirable.
Candidates will have to apply for University RTP scholarship and successful candidate will commence research in 2025. You should apply at least 3 months prior to the research quarter commencement date. International applicants may need to apply much earlier for visa reasons.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Master Philosophy
Insecticide resistance in Buffalo flies infesting Australian cattle
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nigel Perkins, Dr Ben Wood
-
Doctor Philosophy
Prevalence of ticks and tick-borne diseases and other parasitic diseases in wild and free roaming canids in Queensland, Australia.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Justine Gibson, Dr Nicholas Clark
-
Doctor Philosophy
Survey of farmers¿ perceptions of gastrointestinal parasites and investigation of prevalence, impact, and control of these parasites on sub-tropical dairy cattle
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ben Wood, Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes, Dr Rhys Parry, Dr Shahab Ranjbar Nezhad Isfahani
-
Doctor Philosophy
Survey of farmers¿ perceptions of gastrointestinal parasites and investigation of prevalence, impact, and control of these parasites on sub-tropical dairy cattle
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ben Wood, Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes, Dr Rhys Parry, Dr Shahab Ranjbar Nezhad Isfahani
-
Master Philosophy
Buffalo fly insecticide resistance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nigel Perkins, Dr Ben Wood
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Swaid Abdullah directly for media enquiries about:
- animal heath
- cats
- diagnosis
- disease
- dogs
- epidemiology
- mosquitoes
- outbreaks
- parasites
- Pets
- ticks
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: