Field trial of the efficacy of a combination of ivermectin and praziquantel in horses infected with roundworms and tapeworms.

This research study tested the effectiveness of a combined treatment of ivermectin and praziquantel on horses infected with roundworms and tapeworms, finding that the treatment successfully reduced the presence of these parasites and decreased the risk of associated colic by half within twelve weeks following treatment.

Objective and Methodology

• The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a specific combined medication (ivermectin and praziquantel) in treating horse infections caused by roundworms and tapeworms.
• Two tests were carried out on a total of 233 horses. One was a fecal egg count (FEC) to identify the presence and quantity of roundworms, and the other was an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for identifying antibodies to primary tapeworm antigens (12 kDa and 13 kDa).
• Out of the total horses tested, 62 horses were found to be infected with both parasites.

Treatment

• The infected horses were treated with a combination of 0.2 mg/kg ivermectin and 1.5 mg/kg praziquantel.
• Ivermectin is a common antiparasitic medication used for a variety of worm infections, including roundworms.
• Praziquantel is another antiparasitic drug chiefly used to treat tapeworm infections.

Results

• The treatment was found to suppress the median FEC of the horses to zero for a duration of 10 weeks, indicating successful elimination of the roundworms.
• Furthermore, the levels of anti-12/13 kDa antibodies in the horses’ bodies were also significantly reduced, showing effective reduction of the tapeworm infection.

Risk Reduction

• Associative risks, specifically the risk of colic (abdominal pain typically associated with gastro-intestinal disturbance) related to tapeworm infections, were deemed to be halved 12 weeks post-treatment.
• This suggests the mitigation of health hazards pertaining to the presence of the parasites.

Conclusion

• The combination of ivermectin and praziquantel treatment was found effective in reducing roundworm and tapeworm infestations within the studied population of horses.
• Further, the treatment significantly reduced associated health risks, indicating that it could be a viable course of treatment for such conditions.