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Parasitology research2015; 114(5); 1693-1702; doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4352-z

Gasterophilosis in horses in Sardinia (Italy): effect of meteorological variables on adult egg-laying activity and presence of larvae in the digestive tract, and update of species.

Abstract: Gasterophilus larvae are common obligate parasites of the digestive tract of the equids. Horses become infected with this parasite by ingesting the larvae hatched from eggs laid by the female flies. In this study carried out monthly, we (i) counted the Gasterophilus eggs deposited by female flies on the coat of 30 grazing horses, (ii) counted and identified the Gasterophilus larvae retrieved from the digestive tract of 128 slaughtered horses, and (iii) compared these results to meteorological data. Eggs were deposited on all monitored horses, and were present from October to January and from May to September, whereas they were absent from February to April. The number of laid eggs was significantly different between the months, body regions, genders, and age classes (p < 0.05). Larvae were recovered in 112 (87.5%) horses, and 6 species of Gasterophilus were identified. The prevailing species were Gasterophilus intestinalis (recovered in 110 horses; 85.9%) and Gasterophilus nasalis (69 horses; 53.9 %), recovered in all months. Gasterophilus inermis (5 horses; 3.9%), Gasterophilus pecorum (3 horses; 2.3%), Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis (3 horses; 2.3%)¸ and Gasterophilus meridionalis (2 horses; 1.6%) larvae were also found. Significant differences were found among monthly larval burdens for both Gasterophilus spp. and G. intestinalis (p < 0.05), but not for G. nasalis (p > 0.05). Larval burdens and prevalences did not differed significantly between both genders and age classes (p > 0.05). Monthly eggs and larvae trends were not significantly correlated (p > 0.05). With regard to the meteorological variables, minimum air temperature was significantly correlated with the eggs trend (rho = 1.000; p < 0.001) and maximum air temperature with the Gasterophilus spp. (rho = 0.972; p < 0.001) and G. intestinalis (rho = 0.972; p < 0.001) larvae trends. In addition, the number of hours with a temperature below +10 °C was significantly correlated with G. intestinalis larvae trend (rho = 0.602; p < 0.05). Our findings confirmed that in Sardinia, Gasterophilosis is an important parasitosis in the horses, and it needs more attention and extensive and/or correct treatment to reduce its prevalence.
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Publication Date: 2015-02-07 PubMed ID: 25663068DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4352-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article investigates the effect of meteorological conditions on the egg-laying activity of Gasterophilus parasite in horses and their presence in the digestive tract, providing an updated taxonomy of the species in Sardinia, Italy.

Methodology and Results

  • The monthly study involved monitoring the eggs deposited by female Gasterophilus flies on 30 grazing horses and identifying the Gasterophilus larvae found in the digestive tract of 128 slaughtered horses.
  • The eggs were present from October to January and from May to September, but were absent from February to April. The number of eggs laid varied significantly between months, body regions, genders, and age groups (p < 0.05).
  • Out of the 128 horses, larvae were found in 112 horses (87.5%), and a total of six species of Gasterophilus were identified. The most common species were Gasterophilus intestinalis (found in 110 horses) and Gasterophilus nasalis (found in 69 horses).
  • Significant differences were found among monthly larval burdens for Gasterophilus spp. and G. intestinalis (p < 0.05), but not for G. nasalis (p > 0.05).

Correlation of Meteorological Variables and Parasitic Activity

  • There was no significant correlation between monthly egg and larvae trends (p > 0.05), but the minimum air temperature was significantly correlated with egg trend (p < 0.001).
  • The maximum air temperature significantly correlated with the Gasterophilus spp. and G. intestinalis larvae trends (p < 0.001).
  • There was a significant correlation between the number of hours with a temperature below +10 °C and the G. intestinalis larvae trend (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that in Sardinia, Gasterophilosis is a significant parasitic disease in horses, and requires more attention and extensive or correct treatment to reduce its prevalence.
  • The study also established a link between weather conditions and the life cycle of Gasterophilus parasites, which can help in devising effective parasite control strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Pilo C, Altea A, Scala A. (2015). Gasterophilosis in horses in Sardinia (Italy): effect of meteorological variables on adult egg-laying activity and presence of larvae in the digestive tract, and update of species. Parasitol Res, 114(5), 1693-1702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4352-z

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 114
Issue: 5
Pages: 1693-1702

Researcher Affiliations

Pilo, Cristian
  • Postgraduate School for Animal Health, Breeding and Livestock Production, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy, cripilo@tiscali.it.
Altea, Antonella
    Scala, Antonio

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Diptera / classification
      • Diptera / growth & development
      • Diptera / physiology
      • Female
      • Gastrointestinal Tract / parasitology
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / parasitology
      • Horses
      • Italy / epidemiology
      • Larva / physiology
      • Male
      • Oviposition
      • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / epidemiology
      • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / parasitology
      • Seasons

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 6 times.
      1. Rabei ȘO, Pivariu D, Cocian AI, Vaccaro D, Costache-Bobescu P, Mihalca AD. Seasonality, control, and risk factors for Gasterophilus intestinalis egg intensity in horses from Romania under field conditions. Parasitol Res 2025 Aug 6;124(8):87.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-025-08540-xpubmed: 40767875google scholar: lookup
      2. Rabei ȘO, Cârstolovean AS, Culda CA, Mihalca AD. Gasterophilus in horses from Romania: diversity, prevalence, seasonal dynamics, and distribution. Parasitol Res 2024 Dec 23;123(12):416.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-024-08419-3pubmed: 39710758google scholar: lookup
      3. Huang H, Zhang K, Zhang B, Liu S, Chu H, Qi Y, Zhang D, Li K. Analysis on the relationship between winter precipitation and the annual variation of horse stomach fly community in arid desert steppe, Northwest China (2007-2019). Integr Zool 2022 Jan;17(1):128-138.
        doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12578pubmed: 34254452google scholar: lookup
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      6. Zhang B, Huang H, Wang H, Zhang D, Chu H, Ma X, Ge Y, Ente M, Li K. Genetic diversity of common Gasterophilus spp. from distinct habitats in China. Parasit Vectors 2018 Aug 22;11(1):474.
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