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Parasitology research2004; 93(4); 274-278; doi: 10.1007/s00436-004-1111-y

Equine Cryptosporidium parvum infections in western Poland.

Abstract: A total of 564 fecal specimens from 318 horses used for recreational riding, child hippotherapy, and racing at ten commercial and government-run stables in western Poland were tested for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts by microscopic examination of Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears, enzyme immunoassay, and combined direct immunofluorescent antibody and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Also, seven stool specimens from five personnel who had repeated contact with these horses were tested for C. parvum oocysts. Eleven horses that shed C. parvum oocysts were found in five of ten stables (50%). The prevalence of infection varied from 0% to 11.5%. The overall prevalence of equine C. parvum-associated cryptosporidiosis in the Wielkopolska region of western Poland was 3.5%. C. parvum oocysts were found only in fecal samples from mature horses, the number of oocysts was low, and infections were not associated with clinical signs. Oocysts were not found in human fecal specimens.
Copyright 2004 Springer-Verlag
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Publication Date: 2004-05-20 PubMed ID: 15156396DOI: 10.1007/s00436-004-1111-yGoogle 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 study examined the prevalence of a parasitic infection, Cryptosporidium parvum, in horses and their caregivers in western Poland. The researchers found that 3.5% of horses, especially mature ones, were carriers of the parasite, but it did not appear to cause illness in either the horses or the humans tested.

Research Sample

  • The researchers tested 564 fecal samples from 318 horses at ten different stables in the Wielkopolska region of western Poland.
  • This sample included horses used for recreational riding, therapeutic activities for children known as hippotherapy, and racing.
  • Additionally, stool specimens from five people who were in repeated contact with these horses were also tested for the parasite.

Testing Methods

  • They looked for the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts (a dormant, or ‘resting’, stage of the parasite) using three methods: microscopic examination of Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears, enzyme immunoassay, and combined direct immunofluorescent antibody and fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Research Findings

  • Findings showed that eleven horses, from five of the ten stables tested, were shedding the parasite’s oocysts. This equated to a 50% stable infection rate.
  • The prevalence of the infection in individual horses ranged from 0% to 11.5%, giving an overall prevalence of 3.5% in the horse population tested.
  • The Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts were found only in the fecal samples from mature horses, and the number of oocysts present was relatively low.
  • Interestingly, these infections did not appear to cause any symptoms of illness, known as ‘clinical signs’, in the horses.
  • Oocysts from the parasite were not found in any of the human fecal samples tested.

Conclusion

  • The research therefore concludes that Cryptosporidium parvum infection is present in the equine community in this part of Poland, but is relatively rare, does not seem to cause illness in horses, and does not appear to transfer to humans in close contact with the horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Majewska AC, Solarczyk P, Tamang L, Graczyk TK. (2004). Equine Cryptosporidium parvum infections in western Poland. Parasitol Res, 93(4), 274-278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-004-1111-y

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 0932-0113
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 93
Issue: 4
Pages: 274-278

Researcher Affiliations

Majewska, Anna C
  • Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701, Poznan, Poland.
Solarczyk, Piotr
    Tamang, Leena
      Graczyk, Thaddeus K

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
        • Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary
        • Cryptosporidium parvum / isolation & purification
        • Cryptosporidium parvum / physiology
        • Feces / parasitology
        • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / parasitology
        • Horses / parasitology
        • Humans
        • In Situ Hybridization
        • Oocysts / cytology
        • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / epidemiology
        • Poland / epidemiology

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