Helminth egg excretion in horses kept under tropical conditions-Prevalence, distribution and risk factors.

The study investigates the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with helminth egg excretion in horses kept in tropical conditions in Camagüey, Cuba. The study aims to obtain crucial epidemiological data on parasites in these conditions, which is vital for implementing effective anthelmintic treatment strategies.

Research Background and Aim

• The research is motivated by rising levels of anthelmintic resistance in equine cyathostomin parasites.
• The conventional selective anthelmintic treatment strategy is based on fecal egg counts, treating those animals exceeding a specific threshold. However, the efficacy of this approach depends on an accurate understanding of the parasite burden, which can considerably change under different climates.
• This research aims to address the lack of epidemiological information about parasites in horses kept under tropical conditions in Camagüey, Cuba, where the type and volume of parasites might significantly differ from temperate climates.

Study Methodology and Findings

• The study surveyed a total of 396 horses from eight different establishments in Camagüey, Cuba.
• Examinations of horse feces revealed that all establishments harbored horses with Strongylus vulgaris and cyathostomin parasites sensed broadly.
• The study found a 97% prevalence and an average of 1,436 strongylid eggs per gram of feces in the sample pool. Parascaris spp. eggs were found in 10% of the examined horses.
• The research employed statistical models to identify the factors significantly affecting the likelihood and volume of strongylid fecal egg counts. These factors included the sex of the horse, the month of the year, the type of operation the horse was used in, and the time since the horse’s last deworming session.
• The study also identified that horses less than two years of age and horses that were not receiving anthelmintic treatment were significantly more likely to harbor Parascaris spp. parasites.

Implications of the Study

• The study underscores the substantially high prevalence and magnitude of strongylid fecal egg counts in the examined horses. This high prevalence, along with the common occurrence of S. vulgaris, indicates that parasites burdens are significantly different under tropical conditions compared to temperate climates.
• These results provide vital epidemiological data on parasites in horses in tropical conditions, providing a foundation for the development of effective anthelmintic treatment strategies.