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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Parasitol / Gastrointestinal Helminths in Horses in Serbia and Various F...
Acta parasitologica2022; 68(1); 56-69; doi: 10.1007/s11686-022-00636-z

Gastrointestinal Helminths in Horses in Serbia and Various Factors Affecting the Prevalence.

Abstract: Data on gastrointestinal infections in horses in Southeastern Europe are limited; thus, this study aimed to add to the existing knowledge on this topic by reporting on the prevalence of intestinal parasites of horses in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Methods: In the period from April 2017 to December 2018, parasitological examination of 548 samples from horses of different breed, age and sex from four regions and 18 districts of the country was performed. Coprological diagnostic was done by using qualitative methods without concentration and qualitative methods with concentration of parasitic elements. Quantification of the obtained results was performed using semi-qualitative faecal egg count. Results: Four helminthoses were detected in the examined samples: P. equorum (8.57%), O. equi (3.65%), strongylid eggs (71.17%) and Anoplocephala spp. (0.91%). The total prevalence of helminthoses was 77.19%. Monoinfections were significantly more present 70.07% compared to coinfections (7.12%). The highest prevalence of helminthoses was detected in free-ranging horses (93.10%-27/29), in autumn 86.67% (117/135) and winter 79.71% (165/207), in Šumadija and West Serbia region (100%), and in the youngest category (100%). Significant difference (p < 0.001) was detected in the prevalence of monoinfections by strongylids and O. equi and also coinfections by strongylid/P. equorum between horses of different age categories. Conclusions: Obtained results are of great contribution to clinical parasitology and pathology, especially from the aspect of animal health, welfare and preservation of horse population.
© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-09 PubMed ID: 36350537PubMed Central: 2915776DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00636-zGoogle 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.

The research article discusses a study that examined the prevalence of intestinal parasites in horses in Serbia. The study also explored various factors that affect the frequency of these infections.

Introduction and Methodology

  • The study was sparked by the lack of detailed data about gastrointestinal infections in horses from Southeastern Europe, specifically the Republic of Serbia.
  • Between April 2017 and December 2018, the researchers collected 548 samples from a variety of horses differing in breed, age, and sex from across four regions and 18 districts.
  • The team used a parasitological examination of the samples, employing both concentration-dependent and concentration-independent qualitative methods to diagnose the presence of parasites.
  • The results were quantified using semi-qualitative faecal egg count, a method used to estimate the severity of infection in the examined horses.

Results and Findings

  • Four major types of helminthoses (parasitic worm infections) were detected: P. equorum, O. equi, strongylid eggs, and Anoplocephala spp.
  • Among these, strongylid eggs were the most prevalent (71.17%).
  • The overall prevalence of helminthoses in the samples was 77.19%, with solitary infections (monoinfections) making up 70.07% of this figure, while co-infections accounted for 7.12%.
  • The study found the highest infection rates in free-ranging horses (93.10%), during autumn and winter seasons, in specific regions (Šumadija and West Serbia), and in younger horses.
  • Statistically significant differences were observed in the prevalence of monoinfections by strongylids and O. equi, and also co-infections by strongylid/P. equorum among horses of different age categories.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that the observed prevalence of intestinal parasites in the horse population in these regions of Serbia is significant and warrants further attention.
  • These findings contribute to clinical parasitology and veterinary pathology, not only for their immediate relevance to horse health and welfare, but also for broader implications in the conservation of the horse population.

Cite This Article

APA
Ilić T, Bogunović D, Nenadović K, Gajić B, Dimitrijević S, Popović G, Kulišić Z, Milosavljević P. (2022). Gastrointestinal Helminths in Horses in Serbia and Various Factors Affecting the Prevalence. Acta Parasitol, 68(1), 56-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-022-00636-z

Publication

Acta parasitologica
ISSN: 1896-1851
NlmUniqueID: 9301947
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 68
Issue: 1
Pages: 56-69

Researcher Affiliations

Ilić, Tamara
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Bogunović, Danica
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Nenadović, Katarina
  • Department of Animal Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. katarinar@vet.bg.ac.rs.
Gajić, Bojan
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), P.O. Box 1555, Al Ain, UAE.
Dimitrijević, Sanda
  • Department of Animal Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
Popović, Gorana
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Kulišić, Zoran
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Milosavljević, Petar
  • Department of Surgery, Orthopedy and Ophthalmology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Prevalence
  • Serbia / epidemiology
  • Coinfection
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Helminths
  • Helminthiasis
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • 451-03-68/2022-14/200143 / Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnolou0161kog Razvoja

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