Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
An investigation of the prevalence of equine filariosis in North and Northeast of Iran.
Abstract: Worldwide, equines are affected by equine filariosis, an endemic vector-borne disease caused by heterogenous parasitic nematodes. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of filarial infection among horses in the North and Northeast of Iran. Between October 2021 and July 2022, 145 equine blood samples were investigated, of which 49 cases were from the northeast and 96 were from the north of Iran. Blood samples were taken for microfilariae using Knott's method. Out of 145 blood samples, only 2 cases (1.37%) from northern Iran were positive for microfilaria of , and no positive samples were found from northeast Iran. The first positive sample was a 3-year-old male Iranian horse displaying clinical symptoms of weakness, while the second, an 8-month-old Arabian breed colt, exhibited no clinical signs. According to the results of the current study, the prevalence of equine filariosis is low, contrary to nearby countries. To prevent and control filarial infections among horses and improve their management system, it is therefore important to emphasize filarial infection prevention, control, and management.
© Indian Society for Parasitology 2024.
Publication Date: 2024-01-19 PubMed ID: 38440766PubMed Central: PMC10908922DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01643-1Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
Overview
- This study investigated how common equine filariosis, a parasitic disease, is among horses in the North and Northeast regions of Iran.
- The research found a low prevalence of the infection, with only 1.37% of tested horses showing signs of microfilariae presence.
Introduction to Equine Filariosis
- Equine filariosis is a disease affecting horses and other equines worldwide.
- It is caused by parasitic nematodes, which are worm-like organisms transmitted through vectors, such as insects.
- The disease can be endemic, meaning it persists in certain regions naturally.
- Clinical signs can vary, with some infected horses showing symptoms, while others remain asymptomatic.
Study Objective and Design
- The primary goal was to assess the prevalence (how widespread) filarial infection is among horses in northern and northeastern parts of Iran.
- The study collected 145 equine blood samples over a period from October 2021 to July 2022.
- Out of these, 49 samples came from the northeast region and 96 from the northern region of Iran.
Methods: Detection of Microfilariae
- The researchers used Knott’s method to detect microfilariae in blood samples. This technique concentrates microfilariae allowing their identification under a microscope.
- Microfilariae are the early larval stage of filarial parasites present in the bloodstream.
Key Results
- From all 145 blood samples, only 2 (1.37%) were positive for microfilariae.
- Both positive cases were from the northern region of Iran; no positives were found in the northeast region.
- The first positive horse was a 3-year-old male Iranian horse showing clinical signs of weakness.
- The second positive horse was an 8-month-old Arabian colt that exhibited no clinical symptoms.
Interpretation and Significance
- The prevalence of equine filariosis in North and Northeast Iran appears to be low compared to neighboring countries where infection rates might be higher.
- This suggests that either the exposure to vectors or the environmental conditions are less favorable for transmission in these Iranian regions or other control measures may be effective there.
- Despite low prevalence, it is important to maintain vigilance through prevention, control, and management strategies to avoid spread and manage cases effectively.
- The findings highlight the importance of monitoring equine health to prevent the establishment or rise of filarial infections.
Recommendations
- Implement preventive measures such as vector control to reduce the risk of transmission.
- Regular health monitoring and blood testing of horses, especially in endemic or neighboring high-risk areas.
- Educate horse owners and veterinary professionals about signs, transmission risks, and management of filariosis.
- Further research may be needed to explore environmental factors, and vector populations influencing infection rates in different regions.
Cite This Article
APA
Faghihzadeh Gorji F, Sadr S, Eshrati H, Borji H.
(2024).
An investigation of the prevalence of equine filariosis in North and Northeast of Iran.
J Parasit Dis, 48(1), 163-167.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-023-01643-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
This article includes 32 references
- Abdullah I, Yazar S, Tuncbilek AS, Canhilal R, Doganay M, Aydin L, Aktas M, Vatansever Z, Ozdarendeli A, Ozbel Y. Vectors and vector-borne diseases in Turkey.. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 2013;60(4):281–296.
- Abo-Aziza FA, Hendawy SH, Abdullah HH, El Namaky A, Laidoudi Y, Mediannikov O. Emergent and neglected equine filariosis in Egypt: species diversity and host immune response.. Pathogens 2022;11(9):979.
- Bhalla D, Dumas M, Preux P-M. Neurological manifestations of filarial infections.. Handb Clin Neurol 2013;114:235–242.
- Bouchery T, Lefoulon E, Karadjian G, Nieguitsila A, Martin C. The symbiotic role of Wolbachia in Onchocercidae and its impact on filariasis.. Clin Microbiol Infect 2013;19(2):131–140.
- Cambra-Pellejà M, Gandasegui J, Balaña-Fouce R, Muñoz J, Martínez-Valladares M. Zoonotic implications of Onchocerca species on human health.. Pathogens 2020;9(9):761.
- Enami H. Epidemiological survey on equine filariasis in the Urmia area of Iran.. J Anim Vet Adv 2009;8(2):295–296.
- Faghihzadeh Gorji F, Sadr S, Sharifiyazdi H, Borji H. The first molecular isolation of Halicephalobus gingivalis from horses in Iran.. Vet Res Commun 2023.
- Fuehrer H-P, Alho AM, Kayikci FN, Shahi Barogh B, Rosa H, Tomás J, Rocha H, Harl J, Madeira de Carvalho L. Survey of zoonotic and non-zoonotic vector-borne pathogens in military horses in Lisbon, Portugal.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:591943.
- Ghadiri Ma'soum M, Bahmani A, Hajilou M, Azimi F, Ghadiri Ma'soum M. Representation of opportunities and areas for agro-tourism development in rural areas (case study: villages of Tehran Province). J Res Rural Plan 2020;9(1):35–51.
- Ghasemi E, Shamsinia S, Taghipour A, Anvari D, Bahadory S, Shariatzadeh SA, Kordi B, Majidiani H, Borji H, Nosrati MC. Filarial worms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diversity in animals from Iran with emphasis on human cases.. Parasitology 2020;147(9):909–921.
- Gorji FF, Sadr S, Borji H. Epidemiological study on equine coccidiosis in North and Northeast of Iran.. Vet Med Sci 2023;9(5):2038–2041.
- Grácio AJS, Richter J, Komnenou AT, Grácio MA. Onchocerciasis caused by Onchocerca lupi: an emerging zoonotic infection.. Syst Rev Parasitol Res 2015;114(7):2401–2413.
- Hadi AM, Atiyah AH (2014) Isolation and identification of blood parasites from equine in Baghdad. In: First scientific conference for medical and health, Baghdad, Iraq
- Hassona Y, Scully C, Delgado-Azanero W, de Almeida OP. Oral helminthic infestations.. J Investig Clin Dent 2015;6(2):99–107.
- Hornok S, Genchi C, Bazzocchi C, Fok É, Farkas R. Prevalence of Setaria equine microfilaraemia in horses in Hungary.. Vet Record 2007;161(24):814–816.
- Hosseini SH, Meshgi B, Eslami A, Bokaei S, Sobhani M, Agha ESR. Prevalence and biodiversity of helminth parasites in donkeys (Equus asinus) in Iran.. Int J Vet Res 2009;3:95–99.
- Khamesipour F, Taktaz-Hafshejani T, Tebit KE, Razavi SM, Hosseini SR. Prevalence of endo-and ecto-parasites of equines in Iran: a systematic review.. Vet Med Sci 2021;7(1):25–34.
- Kingsley NB, Sandmeyer L, Bellone RR. A review of investigated risk factors for developing equine recurrent uveitis.. Vet Ophthalmol 2022.
- Lee H, Hwang H, Ro Y, Kim J-H, Lee K, Choi E, Bae Y, So B, Lee I. Setaria digitata was the main cause of equine neurological ataxia in Korea: 50 cases (2015–2016). J Vet Med Sci 2021;83(5):869–875.
- Mäser P. Filariae as organisms.. 2022. In: Kaminsky R, Geary TG, editors. Human and animal filariases: landscape, challenges, and control. Wiley; pp. 17–32.
- Nabie R, Spotin A, Rouhani S. Subconjunctival setariasis due to Setaria equina infection; a case report and a literature review.. Parasitol Int 2017;66(1):930–932.
- El Namaky A, Hendawy S, Abo-Aziza F, Ashry H. Cytokines and immunoglobulin G response in donkeys with spontaneous Setaria equina infection.. Bulg J Vet Med 2019;22(2).
- Nehra AK, Kumari A, Moudgil AD, Vohra S. Organ-specific parasitic diseases of dogs and cats.. 2023. Elsevier; Parasites in the cardiovascular system; pp. 53–88.
- Otranto D, Traversa D. Thelazia eyeworm: an original endo-and ecto-parasitic nematode.. Trends Parasitol 2005;21(1):1–4.
- Peng T, Armiladiana MM, Ruhil H, Maizan M, Choong S. First report of equine Setaria digitata (von Linstow 1906) infestation in Malaysia.. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2019;17:100310.
- Perumal A, Gunawardene Y, Dassanayake R. Setaria digitata in advancing our knowledge of human lymphatic filariasis.. J Helminthol 2016;90(2):129–138.
- Radwan A, Ahmed N, Elakabawy L, Ramadan M, Elmadawy R. Prevalence and pathogenesis of some filarial nematodes infecting donkeys in Egypt.. Vet World 2016;9(8):888.
- Ratnu DA, Parikh PV, Kelawala DN, Patel MD, Mahla JK. Surgical removal of eye worm (ocular setariasis) in equines.. Indian J Vet Sci Biotechnol 2021;17(1):56–58.
- Sazmand A, Bahari A, Papi S, Otranto D. Parasitic diseases of equids in Iran (1931–2020): a literature review.. Parasit Vectors 2020;13(1):1–19.
- Sotiraki S, Badouvas A, Himonas C. A survey on the prevalence of internal parasites of equines in Macedonia and Thessalia-Greece.. J Equine Vet 1997;17(10):550–552.
- Utzinger J, Bergquist R, Olveda R, Zhou X-N. Important helminth infections in Southeast Asia: diversity, potential for control and prospects for elimination.. Adv Parasitol 2010;72:1–30.
- Yu F, Liu B, Chen S, Yi Z, Liu X, Zhu Y, Li J. First molecular confirmation of equine ocular Setaria digitata in China.. Veterinary Sci 2021;8(4):55.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
