Arteritis, aneurysm and thromboembolic colic caused by migration of Strongylus vulgaris larvae in equids.

The research investigates the impact of the Strongylus vulgaris parasite on the vascular and extravascular health of horses, donkeys, and mules, and the diseases it can lead to, such as arteritis, aneurysm, and thromboembolic colic.

Research Methodology

• The researchers conducted a retrospective investigation on the autopsy reports of equids (horses, donkeys, mules) that were collected from the Animal Pathology Laboratory, Federal University of Campina Grande, dating from 2000-2024.
• They specifically focused on cases that showed vascular damage associated with the S. vulgaris parasite.
• All clinical, physiological, and epidemiological data were thoroughly reviewed, and tissue samples were routinely processed for histopathological examination.
• Nematodes residing within the identified vascular damage were examined under light microscopy for identification.

Research Findings

• A total of 938 equids were examined in the study, with the majority being horses (85.7%), followed by donkeys (9.4%), and mules (4.7%).
• Vascular lesions in the Cranial Mesenteric Artery (CMA) associated with S. vulgaris were identified in 54 animals, representing 5.7% of all cases.
• The age of affected equids ranged from 3 months to 30 years, involving both females and males, most of which were mixed-breeds kept in semi-intensive systems, hailing from northeastern Brazil.
• Almost all cases were incidental findings during autopsy, with one fatal case of thromboembolic colic.
• The major pathological changes included segmental focal thickening (92.6%) or aneurysms (7.4%), often accompanied by intralesional nematodes.
• Endarteritis, fibrinocellular thrombi, and intralesional S. vulgaris larvae were identified upon histopathological examination.

Conclusions

• The results indicate that S. vulgaris-related lesions should be included in the differential prognosis of vascular and extravascular anomalies in equids.
• The study underscores the significance of careful examination of the CMA during autopsies and laparotomies in equids, especially those originating from endemic regions.