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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Changes in Serum Strongylus Vulgaris-Specific Antibody Conce...
Frontiers in veterinary science2015; 2; 17; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00017

Changes in Serum Strongylus Vulgaris-Specific Antibody Concentrations in Response to Anthelmintic Treatment of Experimentally Infected Foals.

Abstract: Strongylus vulgaris is the most pathogenic nematode parasite of horses. Its extensive migration in the mesenteric blood vessels can lead to life-threatening intestinal infarctions. Recent work has shown that this parasite is still identified among managed horse populations. A serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for the detection of migrating larvae of S. vulgaris. Previous work has documented an increase in ELISA values following larvicidal treatment with ivermectin and suggested that the target parasite antigen is primarily produced by the later larval stages. The aim of this study was to experimentally inoculate cohorts of foals with S. vulgaris, and then compare ELISA responses to early or later ivermectin treatments. Fifteen foals were held in confinement and infected orally with ~25 S. vulgaris third-stage larvae on Days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Foals were weaned on Day 43 and turned out to a pasture not previously grazed by horses. Foals remained at pasture continuously until the study was terminated on Day 196. On Day 55, foals were randomly allocated to three treatment groups of five each. Group 1 received ivermectin on Day 56, Group 2 received ivermectin on Day 112, and Group 3 foals served as untreated controls. Serum and fecal samples were collected at 28-day intervals throughout the study. Serum samples were analyzed with the S. vulgaris-specific ELISA and fecal samples were processed for fecal egg counting. The ELISA values of Group 1 foals were significantly lower than Groups 2 or 3 on Days 140-196. Both treated groups exhibited increased ELISA values following ivermectin treatment. Results indicate that the target diagnostic antigen is produced throughout the course of arterial infection with S. vulgaris, but that an early ivermectin treatment can reduce the cumulative antigen produced over the course of an infection.
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Publication Date: 2015-07-01 PubMed ID: 26664946PubMed Central: PMC4672185DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00017Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research explores the effect of ivermectin treatment timing on the presence of a harmful horse parasite, Strongylus vulgaris. The study found that early treatment reduces the cumulative production of the parasite antigen in infected foals.

Introduction

  • The study’s focus is on Strongylus vulgaris, a nematode parasite prevalent in horses that can induce serious intestinal complications.
  • Though recent research shows its presence in managed horse populations, a serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has emerged to detect the parasite’s migrating larvae.
  • The study aims to observe the impact of ivermectin treatments given at different stages of the infection.

Methodology

  • Fifteen foals were chosen for the experiment. Over the course of three weeks, they were orally infected with S. vulgaris larvae.
  • The foals were weaned and placed on a horse-free pasture for the remaining duration of the study.
  • They were randomly divided into three groups on the 55th day. Group 1 was treated with ivermectin on the 56th day, Group 2 on the 112th day, while Group 3 served as untreated controls.
  • Every 28 days, serum and fecal samples were collected for ELISA tests and fecal egg counting respectively.

Findings

  • Foals in Group 1 exhibited significantly lower ELISA values compared to Groups 2 and 3 from Day 140 to Day 196, while both treated groups had increased ELISA values following the application of ivermectin.
  • The consistent increase of ELISA values regardless of the stage of treatment indicates that the diagnostic antigen is produced continuously during the arterial infection stage of S. vulgaris.
  • However, early ivermectin administration can limit the overall production of the antigen over an infection period.

Conclusion

  • The research suggests that the timing of ivermectin treatment plays a significant role in managing S. vulgaris infections in horses.
  • Early-stage treatment appears to restrain the overall antigen production, potentially limiting the nematode’s harmful effects.

Cite This Article

APA
Nielsen MK, Scare J, Gravatte HS, Bellaw JL, Prado JC, Reinemeyer CR. (2015). Changes in Serum Strongylus Vulgaris-Specific Antibody Concentrations in Response to Anthelmintic Treatment of Experimentally Infected Foals. Front Vet Sci, 2, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2015.00017

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 2
Pages: 17
PII: 17

Researcher Affiliations

Nielsen, Martin Krarup
  • M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky , Lexington, KY , USA.
Scare, Jessica
  • M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky , Lexington, KY , USA.
Gravatte, Holli Sullivan
  • M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky , Lexington, KY , USA.
Bellaw, Jennifer Lynn
  • M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky , Lexington, KY , USA.
Prado, Julio C
  • East Tennessee Clinical Research, Inc. , Rockwood, TN , USA.
Reinemeyer, Craig Robert
  • East Tennessee Clinical Research, Inc. , Rockwood, TN , USA.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Osterman-Lind E, Holmberg M, Grandi G. Selective Anthelmintic Treatment in Horses in Sweden Based on Coprological Analyses: Ten-Year Results. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 28;13(17).
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  2. Hedberg-Alm Y, Tydén E, Tamminen LM, Lindström L, Anlén K, Svensson M, Riihimäki M. Clinical features and treatment response to differentiate idiopathic peritonitis from non-strangulating intestinal infarction of the pelvic flexure associated with Strongylus vulgaris infection in the horse. BMC Vet Res 2022 Apr 23;18(1):149.
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  3. Steuer AE, Anderson HP, Shepherd T, Clark M, Scare JA, Gravatte HS, Nielsen MK. Parasite dynamics in untreated horses through one calendar year. Parasit Vectors 2022 Feb 8;15(1):50.
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  4. Hedberg-Alm Y, Penell J, Riihimäki M, Osterman-Lind E, Nielsen MK, Tydén E. Parasite Occurrence and Parasite Management in Swedish Horses Presenting with Gastrointestinal Disease-A Case-Control Study. Animals (Basel) 2020 Apr 7;10(4).
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