Professor David Piedrafita
Professor, Bioscience
Campus
Biography
Professor David Piedrafita is internationally recognised as one of the leading authorities of immunological responses for parasites in veterinary animals and has worked at major universities both in Australia and overseas. Professor Piedrafita’s research provides information we need to understand disease susceptibility and to design better vaccines or drugs to prevent and treat disease. His commercial research over many years and current role in Allergenix (https://www.allergenix.com.au/) an Australian company for animal preclinical testing platforms for human health, gives him a wealth of experience in commercial product development.
David collaborates widely and has mentored many international scientists and doctoral students. David has been on the executive board of The World Federation of Parasitologists, president of the Australian Society for Parasitology, and inducted as a Fellow of the Society in 2020. He continues to be actively involved in promoting parasitology to the general public through various educational activities and programs including roles with Club Melbourne Ambassadors program after being inducted by the Victorian Premier.
In 2014 he joined Federation University Australia, where he continues to work on national and international research programs and head the immunoparasitology unit.
Find me on
- Publications
The poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib attenuates established pulmonary fibrosis in a large animal model
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1186/s12890-025-03803-w
Evaluation of LAMP for Fasciola hepatica detection from faecal samples of experimentally and naturally infected cattle
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110132
Strongyle egg shedding and egg reappearance periods in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110176
The Influence of Flock Variation, Sample Size, Flock Size and Mean Egg Count on the Accuracy and Precision of the Estimated Mean Egg Count
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.3390/parasitologia4020012
The Immune Response to Nematode Infection
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.3390/ijms24032283
Evaluation of the Role of Galectins in Parasite Immunity
- Book Chapters
- DOI reference: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2055-7_26
The heritability of Nematodirus battus faecal egg counts
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1017/S0031182022000014
Investigation of the combined efficacy of two Haemonchus contortus vaccines in weaner Merino sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109637
Quantifying the sources of variation in eosinophilia among Scottish blackface lambs with mixed, predominantly Teladorsagia circumcincta nematode infection
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109590
Vaccines for Fasciola: New Thinking for an Old Problem
- Book Chapters
- DOI reference: 10.1079/9781789246162.0012
Comparative evaluation of different molecular methods for DNA extraction from individual Teladorsagia circumcincta nematodes
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1186/s12896-021-00695-6
Variation in gut bacterial composition is associated with Haemonchus contortus parasite infection of sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1186/s42523-020-0021-3
Increased susceptibility to Haemonchus contortus infection by interleukin-5 modulation of eosinophil responses in sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1111/pim.12680
The composition and stability of the faecal microbiota of Merino sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1111/jam.14468
The oligomeric assembly of galectin-11 is critical for anti-parasitic activity in sheep (Ovis aries)
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1038/s42003-020-01179-7
Will helminth co-infection modulate COVID-19 severity in endemic regions?
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1038/s41577-020-0330-5
Proteomic identification of galectin-11 and -14 ligands from Fasciola hepatica
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.06.007
The current status of anthelmintic resistance in a temperate region of Australia; implications for small ruminant farm management
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100313
Protective efficacy of liver fluke DNA vaccines: A systematic review and meta-analysis: Guiding novel vaccine development
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.01.010
Teladorsagia circumcincta
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.15347/wjs/2019.004
Selection of multi-drug resistant influenza A and B viruses under zanamivir pressure and their replication fitness in ferrets.
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.3851/IMP3135
Proteomic identification of galectin- 11 and 14 ligands from Haemonchus contortus
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.7717/peerj.4510
Modulation of Haemonchus contortus infection by depletion of γδ+ T cells in parasite resistant Canaria Hair Breed sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.02.021
A novel ex vivo immunoproteomic approach characterising Fasciola hepatica tegumental antigens identified using immune antibody from resistant sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.02.004
Immunity to Haemonchus contortus and Vaccine Development
- Book Chapters
- DOI reference: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.02.011
Prospects for Immunoprophylaxis Against Fasciola hepatica (Liver Fluke)
- Book Chapters
- DOI reference: 10.1002/9783527652969.ch28
Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica: Cloning and characterisation of 70 kDa heat-shock proteins reveals variation in HSP70 gene expression between parasite species recovered from sheep
Development and application of a fecal antigen diagnostic sandwich ELISA for estimating prevalence of fasciola gigantica in cattle in central java, Indonesia
Comparative experimental Haemonchus contortus infection of two sheep breeds native to the Canary Islands
Host responses during experimental infection with Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica in Merino sheep. II. Development of a predictive index for Fasciola gigantica worm burden
Vaccination against fasciolosis by a multivalent vaccine of stage-specific antigens
A major cathepsin B protease from the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica has atypical active site features and a potential role in the digestive tract of newly excysted juvenile parasites
The relationship between the rapid rejection of Haemonchus contortus larvae with cells and mediators in abomasal tissues in immune sheep
Immune cell kinetics in the ovine abomasal mucosa following hyperimmunization and challenge with Haemonchus contortus
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1051/vetres/2010009
Liver fluke vaccines: Vaccination against Fasciolosis by a multivalent vaccine of recombinant stage-specific antigens
- Conference Proceedings
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.provac.2010.03.015
The kinetics of local cytokine and galectin expression after challenge infection with the gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.11.006
Innate and adaptive resistance of Indonesian Thin Tail sheep to liver fluke: A comparative analysis of Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica infection
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.01.037
Fecundity in adult Haemonchus contortus parasites is correlated with abomasal tissue eosinophils and gamma delta T cells in resistant Canaria Hair Breed sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.01.005
Dual oxidase 2 and glutathione peroxidase gene expression are elevated in hyperimmunised sheep challenged with Haemonchus contortus
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.02.013
Resistance to liver fluke infection in the natural sheep host is correlated with a type-1 cytokine response
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2011.01305.x
Molecular cloning and characterisation of ovine dual oxidase 2
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.03.052
Galectin secretion and binding to adult Fasciola hepatica during chronic liver fluke infection of sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2011.12.010
Novel immunomic technologies for schistosome vaccine development
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2011.01330.x
Field vaccination of sheep with a larval-specific antigen of the gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus, confers significant protection against an experimental challenge infection
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.10.019
Evaluation of the immune responses induced by four targeted DNA vaccines encoding the juvenile liver fluke antigen, cathepsin B in a mouse model
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1186/1479-0556-10-7
The Effect of Plant Tissue and Vaccine Formulation on the Oral Immunogenicity of a Model Plant-Made Antigen in Sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052907
The developing schistosome worms elicit distinct immune responses in different tissue regions
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1038/icb.2013.33
Local Immune Responses of the Chinese Water Buffalo, Bubalus bubalis, against Schistosoma japonicum Larvae: Crucial Insights for Vaccine Design
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002460
The Effect of Different Adjuvants on Immune Parameters and Protection following Vaccination of Sheep with a Larval-Specific Antigen of the Gastrointestinal Nematode, Haemonchus contortus
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078357
Immune mechanisms of resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2010.01213.x
Improving animal and human health through understanding liver fluke immunology
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2010.01223.x
Discovery of novel Schistosoma japonicum antigens using a targeted protein microarray approach
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-290
Effective pulmonary delivery of an aerosolized plasmid DNA vaccine via surface acoustic wave nebulization
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1186/1465-9921-15-60
Comparison of Cytokine Profile between Indonesian Thin-Tailed and Merino Sheep during A Primary Infection with Fasciola gigantica
Ovine Disease Resistance: Integrating Comparative and Functional Genomics Approaches in a Genome Information-Poor Species
The in vitro anthelmintic effects of plumbagin on newly excysted and 4-weeks-old juvenile parasites of Fasciola gigantica
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.10.004
Liver fluke vaccines in ruminants: strategies, progress and future opportunities
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.07.011
Increased production through parasite control: Can ancient breeds of sheep teach us new lessons?
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.08.002
Targeted mapping of QTL on chromosomes 1 and 3 for parasite resistance in sheep
Using the local immune response from the natural buffalo host to generate an antibody fragment library that binds the early larval stages of Schistosoma japonicum
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.05.002
Cloning, expression, purification and crystallographic studies of galectin-11 from domestic sheep (Ovis aries)
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1107/S2053230X15010195
Dynamics of IL-4 and IL-13 expression in the airways of sheep following allergen challenge
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1186/s12890-015-0097-9
Evaluation of a dry powder delivery system for laninamivir in a ferret model of influenza infection
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.05.007
Galectin-11: A novel host mediator targeting specific stages of the gastrointestinal nematode parasite, Haemonchus contortus
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.06.003
Low cost whole-organism screening of compounds for anthelmintic activity
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.01.007
Generation of a Novel Bacteriophage Library Displaying scFv Antibody Fragments from the Natural Buffalo Host to Identify Antigens from Adult Schistosoma japonicum for Diagnostic Development
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004280
Potential role for mucosal IgA in modulating Haemonchus contortus adult worm infection in sheep
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.04.022
Specific humoral response of hosts with variable schistosomiasis susceptibility
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1038/icb.2015.61
Editorial: A grand scale challenge: Vaccine discovery for helminth control in definitive hosts
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2012.01358.x
Current Status for Gastrointestinal Nematode Diagnosis in Small Ruminants: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1155/2014/210350