A survey of ivermectin resistance in Parascaris species infected foals in south-eastern Poland.
Abstract: Parascaris spp. are major gastro-intestinal nematodes that infect foals and can lead to respiratory symptoms, poor growth, and in some cases obstruction of the small intestine and death. Ivermectin resistance has been reported for Parascaris spp. in many countries. In Poland, the knowledge of the level of resistance against ivermectin in Parascaris spp. is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of ivermectin against Parascaris spp. in foals from south-eastern Poland. Foals (n = 225 = reared in 7 stud farms) were treated orally with ivermectin paste. Faecal samples were collected from the rectum of each foal or from the environment straight after defaecation on 1 day prior and 2 weeks after deworming. A faecal egg count (FEC) was performed using the McMaster method with a minimum detection limit of 50 eggs/g. FEC reduction (FECR) was calculated using the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test. The statistical analysis was limited to foals excreting more than 150 eggs/g before treatment and to stud farms with at least 6 foals excreting at or above this level. Confidence intervals were determined by 1000 bootstraps at farm level and the contribution of sex and age to FECR was quantified using a generalized equation estimation procedure. Parascaris spp. eggs were found in 40% of the foals. Following ivermectin treatment, Parascaris spp. eggs were identified in 28.4% of the foals. The mean estimated FECR ranged from 44% to 97% and average efficacy was 49.3%. FECR was more pronounced in older foals (P-values = 0. 003). The FECR was more pronounced in males than in females (P value = 0.028). This study is the first to indicate a reduced efficacy of ivermectin against Parascaris spp. in foals in Poland.
Publication Date: 2020-06-05 PubMed ID: 32503589PubMed Central: PMC7275302DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-00526-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigates the level of ivermectin resistance in the horse parasite Parascaris spp. in South-Eastern Poland. The study found a reduced effectiveness of ivermectin for treating infection in foals and is the first of its kind in Poland.
Objectives and methodology of the research
- The main aim of this study was to analyze what effect, if any, ivermectin – a popular deworming medication – has on Parascaris spp., a common gastrointestinal parasite found in foals. These parasites can cause severe harm including respiratory symptoms, poor growth and sometimes even death.
- A total of 225 foals from seven Polish stud farms were selected for the study. The researchers administered ivermectin to the foals orally and collected fecal samples before and two weeks after the treatment.
- All fecal samples were analyzed for the number of Parascaris spp. eggs using the McMaster method. Only samples with more than 150 eggs per gram before the treatment were included in the analysis.
Results of the research
- The results of the study showed that Parascaris spp. eggs were present in 40% of foals before the treatment. However, a significant percentage (28.4%) of foals still had parasite eggs two weeks after ivermectin treatment, indicating a possible resistance to the drug.
- The fecal egg count reduction (FECR)- a measure of the drug’s efficacy – ranged from 44% to 97% among the farms. Overall, the average effectiveness of the drug was found to be 49.3%.
- Notably, the researchers found that ivermectin was more effective in older foals and males.
Significance of the research
- These intriguing findings indicate that ivermectin might not be fully effective in controlling Parascaris spp. infections in foals in Poland. This would be a cause for concern as it could lead to prolonged infections and potential health risks for the host.
- Additionally, the results highlight the importance of considering age and sex of the horses when administering deworming medication, as these factors might influence the drug’s efficacy.
- This research fills a gap in the literature relating to ivermectin’s efficacy against Parascaris spp. in foals in Poland. It prompts a need for further research to confirm these findings and to explore alternative treatment methods.
Cite This Article
APA
Studzińska MB, Sallé G, Roczeń-Karczmarz M, Szczepaniak K, Demkowska-Kutrzepa M, Tomczuk K.
(2020).
A survey of ivermectin resistance in Parascaris species infected foals in south-eastern Poland.
Acta Vet Scand, 62(1), 28.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-020-00526-2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 12 Akademicka, 20-033, Lublin, Poland. maria.studzinska@up.lublin.pl.
- INRAE/U. de Tours, UMR1282 ISP, 37380, Nouzilly, France.
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 12 Akademicka, 20-033, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 12 Akademicka, 20-033, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 12 Akademicka, 20-033, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 12 Akademicka, 20-033, Lublin, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
- Ascaridida Infections / parasitology
- Ascaridida Infections / prevention & control
- Ascaridida Infections / veterinary
- Ascaridoidea / drug effects
- Drug Resistance
- Female
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Ivermectin / therapeutic use
- Male
- Poland
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Cain JL, Nielsen MK. The equine ascarids: resuscitating historic model organisms for modern purposes. Parasitol Res 2022 Oct;121(10):2775-2791.
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