Helminth infections in Italian donkeys: Strongylus vulgaris more common than Dictyocaulus arnfieldi.

This research article presents data from a nationwide survey conducted in Italy over 2014-2016 to uncover the prevalence and risk factors associated with various helminth (parasitic worm) infections in donkeys. The study found that among the parasites, the most common were Strongylus vulgaris and Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, and identified some key factors that affect the donkeys’ vulnerability to these infections.

Research Methodology

• The study was conducted across 77 Italian farms involving 1775 donkeys.
• The research team used a questionnaire to collect information regarding the management and parasite control practices at each farm.
• Faecal samples were collected from the donkeys and were examined using modified McMaster technique, a centrifugation/flotation method, and a sedimentation technique.
• Pooled coprocultures were carried out to differentiate strongylid eggs, which are a type of parasitic roundworms.

Findings

• According to the results, the most common parasites found were Strongyles at 84.9% incidence, followed by Dictyocaulus arnfieldi at 6.9%, Oxyuris equi at 5.8%, Parascaris spp. at 3.6%, Anoplocephala spp. at 1.0%, and Strongyloides westeri at 0.3%.
• Coprocultures revealed cyathostomins were omnipresent in the samples (100%), followed by Strongylus vulgaris (31.0%), Poteriostomum spp. (25.0%), Triodontophorus spp. (9.0%), Strongylus edentatus (7.0%), and Strongylus equinus (5.0%).
• Through logistic regression analysis, the team identified some factors significantly linked to the presence of strongyles. These included breed, co-pasturing with horses, living area, size of the herd, and the number of treatments administered.
• Sex, age, living area, and herd size were found to be significantly associated with Parascaris spp.
• For Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, significant association was found with sex, grass, co-pasture with horses, living area, and herd size.
• For Strongylus vulgaris, significant association was found with living area and herd size.
• The average number of anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) treatments administered per year was 1.4, with most of the donkeys (71.8%) being dewormed using a drug called ivermectin.

Suggestion

• The article suggests the need for designing parasite programmes that would specifically address Dictyocaulus arnfieldi and Strongylus vulgaris in donkeys, especially if the donkeys co-graze with horses.