Benzimidazole resistance in cyathostomin populations on horse farms in western Anatolia, Turkey.

The research is a study conducted on horse farms in Western Anatolia, Turkey, which discovered resistance to the anthelmintic drug Benzimidazole among populations of the horse parasite cyathostomin.

Study Overview and Methodology

• The researchers carried out a cross-sectional survey on ten stud farms in western Anatolia, Turkey. The aim was to determine the level of resistance to anthelmintic drugs among populations of the horse parasite, cyathostomin.
• To establish the extent of anthelmintic resistance, they compared pre- and post-treatment egg counts in treated animals. If the mean faecal egg count reduction (FECR) was less than 95% and the lower 95% confidence limit was less than 90%, they defined it as resistance.
• Egg hatch tests using 0.1 microg/ml thiabendazole (a type of Benzimidazole) confirmed the establishment of resistance on four out of the seven positive farms.

Detection of Resistance and Evaluation of Other Drugs

• Resistance to Benzimidazole (BZ) was detected in cyathostomin populations on seven out of the ten farms surveyed. This represents a significant occurrence of drug resistance in this region.
• The researchers also tested for resistance to other anthelmintic drugs such as pyrantel embonate and macrocyclic lactones. The same methods were employed for these drugs, and no resistance was observed when evaluated on five and six farms, respectively.

Findings and Implications

• The findings suggest that there is a significant problem with Benzimidazole resistance in this region, which will have implications for how parasitic infections in horses are treated.
• The researchers also discuss probable reasons for the occurrence of BZ resistance, though it is not explicitly mentioned in the abstract. The research might point to factors such as incorrect dosage or frequent usage of Benzimidazole, which can lead to drug resistance in parasites.
• The finding that no resistance to pyrantel embonate or macrocyclic lactones was observed might imply that these drugs could be viable pest management strategies for horses in western Anatolia.