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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Parasitol / Compilation of 29 years of postmortem examinations identifi...
International journal for parasitology2020; 50(2); 125-132; doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.11.004

Compilation of 29 years of postmortem examinations identifies major shifts in equine parasite prevalence from 2000 onwards.

Abstract: Horses are infected by a wide range of parasite species that form complex communities. Parasite control imposes significant constraints on parasite communities whose monitoring remains, however, difficult to track through time. Postmortem examination is a reliable method to quantify parasite communities. Here, we compiled 1,673 necropsy reports accumulated over 29 years, in the reference necropsy centre from Normandy (France). The burden of non-strongylid species was quantified and the presence of strongylid species was noted. Details of horse deworming history and the cause of death were registered. Building on these data, we investigated the temporal trend in non-strongylid epidemiology and we determined the contribution of parasites to the deaths of horses throughout the study period. Data analyses revealed the seasonal variations of non-strongylid parasite abundance and reduced worm burden in race horses. Beyond these observations, we found a shift in the species responsible for fatal parasitic infection from the year 2000 onward, whereby fatal cyathostominosis and Parascaris spp. infection have replaced cases of death caused by Strongylus vulgaris and tapeworms. A concomitant break in the temporal trend of parasite species prevalence was also found within a 10 year window (1998-2007) that has seen the rise of Parascaris spp. and the decline of both Gasterophilus spp. and tapeworms. A few cases of parasite persistence following deworming were identified, which all occurred after 2000. Altogether, these findings provide insights into major shifts in non-strongylid parasite prevalence and abundance over the last 29 years. They also underscore the critical importance of Parascaris spp. in young equids.
Copyright © 2020 Australian Society for Parasitology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-23 PubMed ID: 31981673DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.11.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The study presents an in-depth review of nearly three-decades-worth of necropsy reports from a center in Normandy, France, which reveals significant shifts in parasite prevalence among horses since the year 2000.

Research Purpose and Methodology

  • The researchers aimed to track changes in parasitic infection patterns within horse populations by examining necropsy reports spanning 29 years. These reports came from a reference necropsy center in Normandy, France. The scope of the investigation included, among other things, the presence and quantity of non-strongylid parasite species, horse’s deworming histories, and the cause of each death.

Key Findings

  • The research identified seasonal variations in the abundance of non-strongylid parasites. In particular, race horses demonstrated reduced worm burdens.
  • Significantly, a shift in fatal parasite infections was observed from the year 2000, with cases of death previously caused by Strongylus vulgaris (a parasitic roundworm) and tapeworms now due to cyathostominosis (a condition caused by another type of small strongyle worms) and infections by Parascaris spp. (a genus of ascarids known for infecting equines).
  • Within a ten-year period (1998-2007), there was a decline in prevalence of Gasterophilus spp. (botflies) and tapeworms, while that of Parascaris spp. rose.
  • The persistence of parasites post-deworming was also noted in a few cases. These instances occurred only after the year 2000.

Implications of the Study

  • The study’s findings highlight significant changes in the prevalence and abundance of non-strongylid parasites among horses over the past 29 years.
  • In particular, the importance of Parascaris spp. in young equines is emphasized, suggesting potential avenues for improved parasite control strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Sallé G, Guillot J, Tapprest J, Foucher N, Sevin C, Laugier C. (2020). Compilation of 29 years of postmortem examinations identifies major shifts in equine parasite prevalence from 2000 onwards. Int J Parasitol, 50(2), 125-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.11.004

Publication

International journal for parasitology
ISSN: 1879-0135
NlmUniqueID: 0314024
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 2
Pages: 125-132

Researcher Affiliations

Sallé, G
  • INRAE, U. de Tours, UMR1282 ISP, F-37380, Nouzilly, France. Electronic address: guillaume.salle@inrae.fr.
Guillot, J
  • Parasitology Department, EA Dynamyc, EnvA, UPEC, USC ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Tapprest, J
  • ANSES Laboratory of Animal Health in Normandy, Goustranville, France.
Foucher, N
  • ANSES Laboratory of Animal Health in Normandy, Goustranville, France.
Sevin, C
  • ANSES Laboratory of Animal Health in Normandy, Goustranville, France.
Laugier, C
  • ANSES Laboratory of Animal Health in Normandy, Goustranville, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Ascaridida Infections / epidemiology
  • Ascaridida Infections / veterinary
  • Ascaridoidea / parasitology
  • Autopsy
  • Feces / parasitology
  • France / epidemiology
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / parasitology
  • Helminths / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
  • Prevalence
  • Seasons
  • Strongyle Infections, Equine / epidemiology
  • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
  • Strongylus / parasitology

Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.
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