Echinococcus multilocularis infection in horses in Poland.

This research was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis (a type of tapeworm) infection in horses in Poland. The study found that between 4.7% and 14.8% of the examined horses were infected, despite the fact that horses, as dead-end hosts, do not contribute to the life cycle of the parasite.

Why the study was conducted

• The study was designed to gather initial data on the occurrence of Echinococcus multilocularis, a dangerous tapeworm, in horses in central, eastern and southern Poland. This area is known for a high prevalence of this tapeworm in red foxes.

Methods used in the study

• The researchers examined the livers of 365 slaughtered horses.
• Horses were checked for the presence of white, tough nodular lesions of 3-10mm in size, which are characteristic of the infection.
• 19 of the hepatic lesions were subjected to nested PCR for detecting E. multilocularis DNA.

Findings of the study

• Nodular lesions were discovered in the livers of 54 horses, out of which 6 tested positive for E. multilocularis DNA.
• On a histological level, the researchers observed granulomatous necrotizing inflammations, which are typically associated with E. multilocularis infections. However, protoscoleces (parasite larvae) were not detected.

Implications of the study

• The study suggests the prevalence of alveolar echinococcosis (caused by tapeworm E. multilocularis) in the examined horse population is between 4.7% and 14.8%.
• These findings shed light on the potential health risk to horses in Poland from Echinococcus multilocularis infection.
• This research identifies horses as possible sentinel animals, meaning that monitoring horses for this infection could provide early warning of environmental contamination with tapeworm eggs.