Are Respiratory Clinical Signs in Horses Associated With Strongyle Egg Shedding Rates on Farms With Varying Egg Shedding Levels?
Abstract: Respiratory signs or more specifically severe equine asthma (SEA) is in some studies reported to be associated with decreased strongyle egg shedding. This association can be reproduced in a larger population of unrelated horses. The owners of 209 horses, on seven farms in Bavaria, were interviewed using, an in prior studies validated questionnaire. Horses were categorized into classes of the horse owner assessed respiratory signs index (HOARSI 1-4, unaffected to severely affected). In total, 1,035 fecal samples were analyzed between March 2011 and September 2014 using a modified McMaster procedure resulting in fecal egg counts (FECs). The HOARSI categories were categorized into two groups in two ways: HOARSI 1 versus HOARSI 2, 3, 4 in model A and HOARSI 1 versus HOARSI 3 and 4 in model B, and further variables known to influence strongyle egg shedding, such as age and seasonality, time on pasture, and pasture hygiene were included in a generalized additive mixed model. The mean FECs (35-320 eggs per gram feces) was different between the farms. In the model, the effect of the presence or absence of respiratory signs on the FECs varied in its direction between the farms and was not significant. The effect of the horse itself, the age of the horse, and seasonality was significant (P < .05). These results are in contrast to some prior studies. Future studies should investigate if these differences are caused by genetic effects only present in some respiratory clinical signs and or SEA-affected horses.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-01-30 PubMed ID: 31002083DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.01.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study explores whether respiratory symptoms in horses, specifically severe equine asthma (SEA), are associated with the strongyle egg shedding rates across various farms with different egg shedding levels. The research involved 209 horses on seven farms, with assessments conducted through a questionnaire and fecal samples. The results varied across farms and were not significant, contradicting some previous studies.
Study Methodology
- The researchers conducted interviews with owners of 209 horses on seven farms in Bavaria using a previously validated questionnaire.
- Horses were classified based on the Horse Owner Assessed Respiratory Signs Index (HOARSI), which ranks from 1-4, where 1 indicates unaffected and 4 means severely affected.
- A total of 1,035 fecal samples were analyzed between March 2011 and September 2014 using a modified McMaster procedure to calculate fecal egg counts (FECs).
- The researchers performed the study in two different models. In Model A, horses were categorized into two groups: HOARSI 1 versus HOARSI 2, 3, 4. In Model B, HOARSI 1 was compared against HOARSI 3 and 4.
- Other variables that could potentially influence strongyle egg shedding – such as age and seasonality, time on pasture, and pasture hygiene – were also taken into account for a generalized additive mixed model.
Study Findings
- The average FECs, ranging from 35-320 eggs per gram of feces, varied from farm to farm.
- The influence of the presence or absence of respiratory symptoms on FECs also differed among farms and was not found to be significant.
- Significant effects were observed relating to the individual horse, its age, and seasonality (P < .05).
Contradiction with Previous Research and Future Implications
- The study’s findings contradict some earlier research, implying that the relationship between respiratory signs in horses and strongyle egg shedding rates is not straightforward.
- Future research should explore whether these variations are due to genetic effects present only in some respiratory signs and/or SEA-affected horses.
- Understanding these relationships can contribute to better diagnosis, treatment, and management of equine respiratory health and associated parasitic infections.
Cite This Article
APA
Sperl C, Gerber V, Drießlein D, Klima A, Becher AM.
(2019).
Are Respiratory Clinical Signs in Horses Associated With Strongyle Egg Shedding Rates on Farms With Varying Egg Shedding Levels?
J Equine Vet Sci, 75, 104-111.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.01.006 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, München, Germany.
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, München, Germany.
- dr becher griesbauer gmbh, Straubing, Germany. Electronic address: a.becher@entwurmungpferd.de.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Farms
- Feces
- Horses
- Ovum
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
- Strongyle Infections, Equine
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