In vitro experimental systems and anthelmintic bioassays for ascarid nematodes of veterinary Importance: a scoping review protocol

This research project is a scoping review that aims to systematically map and summarize the existing evidence on in vitro methods used for studying ascarid nematodes of veterinary importance, with a particular focus on parasite egg isolation, egg embryonation and hatching, larval culture and maintenance, and in vitro anthelmintic testing. Different in vitro systems have been described across the ascarid species such as Ascaridia galli, Ascaris suum, Toxocara spp., and Parascaris spp. However, in vitro handling and experimentation remain highly variable and scattered across the literature. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of how in vitro techniques have been applied across different developmental stages of ascarid nematodes and summarize key methodological variations, research gaps in available in vitro methods, and areas requiring further research. We expect the scoping review’s findings to contribute to the advancement of in vitro systems in ascarid nematodes through extrapolation of relevant and efficient bioassay protocols to less studied ascarids, ultimately improving in vitro ascarid bioassay and guiding future research endeavours in this field.