Epidemiology of equine Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections.
Abstract: Prevalence and infection patterns of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in horses were studied by a direct immunofluorescence staining method. Faecal examinations of 222 horses of different age groups revealed Cryptosporidium infection rates of 15-31% in 66 foals surveyed in central Ohio, southern Ohio and central Kentucky, USA. Only 1 of 39 weanlings, 0 of 46 yearlings, and 0 of 71 mares were positive. Giardia infection was found in all age groups, although the infection rates for foals were higher (17-35%). Chronological study of infection in 35 foals showed that foals started to excrete Cryptosporidium oocysts between 4 and 19 weeks and Giardia cysts between 2 and 22 weeks of age. The cumulative infection rates of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in foals were each 71%. Some foals were concurrently infected with both parasites and excretion of oocysts or cysts was intermittent and long-lasting. The longest duration of excretion was 14 weeks for Cryptosporidium and 16 weeks for Giardia. Excretion of Cryptosporidium oocysts stopped before weaning, while excretion of Giardia cysts continued thereafter. Infected foals were considered the major source of Cryptosporidium infection in foals, whereas infected mares were deemed the major source of Giardia infection in foals. The high infection rate of Giardia in nursing mares suggested a periparturient relaxation of immunity. The results indicated that Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections are common in horses.
Publication Date: 1994-01-01 PubMed ID: 8143656DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04323.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article takes an in-depth look into the prevalence and patterns of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in horses, specifically focusing on different age groups. The study reveals that these infections are common in horses, with foals being particularly susceptible to both parasites.
Research Methodology
- The study leveraged the direct immunofluorescence staining method for examining the faecal matter of 222 horses representing different age groups.
- The horses inspected belonged to diverse locations: central Ohio, southern Ohio, and central Kentucky, USA.
Findings pertaining to Cryptosporidium Infections
- The study discovered Cryptosporidium present in 15-31% of 66 foals, while weanlings (1 out of 39), yearlings (0 out of 46), and mares (0 out of 71) had significantly lower rates.
- Foals began to excrete Cryptosporidium oocysts between 4 and 19 weeks of age.
- The longest excretion duration of Cryptosporidium was recorded at 14 weeks, with excretion stopping before weaning.
Findings related to Giardia Infections
- All age groups had instances of Giardia infection, though foals again reported higher infection rates (17-35%).
- Giardia cysts began to be excreted by foals between 2 and 22 weeks of age.
- The longest recorded Giardia excretion duration was 16 weeks, and unlike Cryptosporidium, Giardia cyst excretion continued after weaning.
- Nursing mares exhibited a high infection rate of Giardia, suggesting a periparturient relaxation of immunity. This highlights the role of infected mares as the principal source of Giardia infections in foals.
General Findings and Interpretations
- Both Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections proved to be common in horses, with 71% of foals showing cumulative infection rates for both parasites.
- A notable observation was the concurrent infection of some foals with both parasites.
- Excretion of oocysts or cysts was intermittent and long-lasting.
- Foals marked the primary source of Cryptosporidium infection among other foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Xiao L, Herd RP.
(1994).
Epidemiology of equine Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections.
Equine Vet J, 26(1), 14-17.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04323.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
- Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology
- Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification
- Feces / parasitology
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Giardia / isolation & purification
- Giardiasis / epidemiology
- Giardiasis / parasitology
- Giardiasis / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Kentucky / epidemiology
- Ohio / epidemiology
- Prevalence
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Li XM, Geng HL, Wei YJ, Yan WL, Liu J, Wei XY, Zhang M, Wang XY, Zhang XX, Liu G. Global prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in Equus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022;12:1072385.
- Deng L, Li W, Zhong Z, Liu X, Chai Y, Luo X, Song Y, Wang W, Gong C, Huang X, Hu Y, Fu H, He M, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wu K, Cao S, Peng G. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Giardia intestinalis in racehorses from the Sichuan province of southwestern China.. PLoS One 2017;12(12):e0189728.
- Wagnerová P, Sak B, McEvoy J, Rost M, Matysiak AP, Ježková J, Kváč M. Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. including novel identification of the Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium tyzzeri in horses in the Czech Republic and Poland.. Parasitol Res 2015 Apr;114(4):1619-24.
- Harris R, Sankar K, Small JA, Suepaul R, Stewart-Johnson A, Adesiyun A. Prevalence and characteristics of enteric pathogens detected in diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic foals in trinidad.. Vet Med Int 2012;2012:724959.
- Hill NJ, Deane EM, Power ML. Prevalence and genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) adapted to urban settings.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2008 Sep;74(17):5549-55.
- Grinberg A, Learmonth J, Kwan E, Pomroy W, Lopez Villalobos N, Gibson I, Widmer G. Genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium parvum causing foal diarrhea.. J Clin Microbiol 2008 Jul;46(7):2396-8.
- Power ML, Sangster NC, Slade MB, Veal DA. Patterns of Cryptosporidium oocyst shedding by eastern grey kangaroos inhabiting an Australian watershed.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2005 Oct;71(10):6159-64.
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- Atwill ER, Sweitzer RA, Pereira MG, Gardner IA, Van Vuren D, Boyce WM. Prevalence of and associated risk factors for shedding Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and Giardia cysts within feral pig populations in California.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1997 Oct;63(10):3946-9.
- Quílez J, Sánchez-Acedo C, del Cacho E, Clavel A, Causapé AC. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in cattle in Aragón (northeastern Spain).. Vet Parasitol 1996 Nov 15;66(3-4):139-46.
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- Netherwood T, Wood JL, Townsend HG, Mumford JA, Chanter N. Foal diarrhoea between 1991 and 1994 in the United Kingdom associated with Clostridium perfringens, rotavirus, Strongyloides westeri and Cryptosporidium spp.. Epidemiol Infect 1996 Oct;117(2):375-83.
- Xiao L, Herd RP. Review of equine Cryptosporidium infection.. Equine Vet J 1994 Jan;26(1):9-13.
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