Epidemiology of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in foals on a stud farm in south-western Sweden.

This research explores the prevalence and immune response to the equine tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata, in foals on a stud farm in Sweden. The results indicated that an oral formulation of pyrantel pamoate reduced tapeworm egg-positive horses by 94%.

Methodology

• The study involved the monitoring of egg output and humoral antibody response to the antigens of Anoplocephala perfoliata in naturally infected foals on a stud farm in Sweden from May 1994 to April 1995.
• The researchers used an egg flotation/centrifugation method and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for this task.
• Through the course of the study, sequential blood and faecal samples were taken from 21 foals during their first summer out in pasture, continuing until tapeworm eggs were detected in their system.

Results

• The results indicated a noticeable increase in the levels of antibodies from October onwards in both foal groups, with tapeworm eggs being detected in their faecal matter around 4 months later.
• The antibody response was similar in both groups, hinting at a similar rate of infection, but those born before April 1994 showed a more pronounced antibody response.

Treatment and After-effects

• All foals were treated with an oral paste formulation of pyrantel pamoate at a dose rate of 38 mg/kg body weight in March 1995.
• Most animals responded well to the antihelminthic treatment, and after a month, tapeworm eggs were only detected in one out of eighteen foals examined. Consequently, the treatment reduced the number of tapeworm egg-positive horses by 94%.
• A subsequent drop in antibody levels was also observed, indicating the effectiveness of the treatment in controlling the infection.

Findings from Western Immunoblot Analysis

• A Western immunoblot analysis on the sequential individual serum samples revealed that at least ten different scolex antigens, in the molecular weight range 10-200 kDa, were identified.
• The intensity of bands, especially of the 10 kDa, 45 kDa and 66 kDa proteins, varied between the sequential serum samples collected during the infection course, potentially indicating the changing intensity of the immune response.