AAVP Symposium: new approaches in the study of animal parasites.

The following three papers are a very small window onto the types of research being pursued by members of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists. They are related by the fact that newer areas in the biology of parasites and their hosts are discussed. The first paper by Dr. Tom Klei, gives a brief view of the interactions between host and parasite of the fascinating organism Wolbachia, a parasite of parasites. The second paper by Dr. Gloria Solano-Aguilar addresses the use of probiotics to alter the host–parasite interface and influence host resistance. The final paper by Dr. Lou Gasbarre outlines an example of integration of the genomics revolution into Veterinary Parasitology. While the subjects are diverse, they demonstrate the vitality of the AAVP.