Frequency of resistance alleles and
homozygous resistant worms
in a
worm population developing anthelmintic resistance
A
In the earliest phase ofAR development
(around point A)
resistance alleles are rare,
and resistance develops very slowly.
This is
a theoretical representation of the rate at which anthelmintic resistance
might develop in a worm population. Two assumptions are (1) that selection
pressure is constant (ie, the same anthelmintic remains in use) and (2),
resistance is conferred by two recessive alleles, so only
homozygous-resistant parasites survive treatment..
The
figure shows that (a) resistance develops slowly at first then more quickly
as the frequency of resistance alleles exceeds 5% to 10% of all alleles, and
(b) the frequency of homozygous resistant worms lags behind the frequency of
resistance alleles.