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Veterinary research communications2025; 49(3); 129; doi: 10.1007/s11259-025-10695-y

High prevalence of Chorioptes bovis: an important factor in chronic progressive lymphedema in Belgian draft horses.

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of chorioptic mange affecting the distal legs of horses in Belgium, focusing on the association between mange and chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL) in Belgian draft horses. Clinical examinations and skin scrapings were performed on the distal legs of 156 Belgian draft horses and 142 Belgian warmblood horses. In the Belgian draft horse breed, 144 (92.31%) horses were infested with Chorioptes bovis mites, and 126 (80.77%) displayed clinical signs of CPL. CPL prevalence in draft horses aged < 1 year was 17.86%, while mites were detected in 85.71% of this age group, with infestations observed as early as 6 days of age. In a subset of horses aged ≥ 1 year, CPL and mange prevalence amounted to 94.53% and 93.75%, respectively. In contrast, no mites or CPL were detected in the Belgian warmblood horses examined. Statistical analysis revealed a strong association between C. bovis and CPL (prevalence odds ratio: 7.37; p = 0.002). The prevalence of CPL was approximately twice as high in horses with mites compared to non-infested horses (prevalence ratio: 2.02). Furthermore, the prevalence risk difference of 42.36%, indicates a substantial absolute increase in CPL prevalence among infested horses. This study demonstrates the high prevalence of C. bovis and its breed-specific predilection in Belgian draft horses. The strong association between mange and CPL highlights the potential role of C. bovis as a contributing factor in CPL pathogenesis.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-03-05 PubMed ID: 40042772PubMed Central: PMC11882615DOI: 10.1007/s11259-025-10695-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article deals with a cross-sectional study investigating the high prevalence of Chorioptes bovis mites, a cause of chorioptic mange, in Belgian draft horses, and its correlation with chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL), a disease causing swelling and severe skin changes. The results indicate a high prevalence of C. bovis particularly in this breed, with a strong statistical association between C. bovis infestation and CPL.

Study Methodology and Subjects

  • In the cross-sectional study, clinical examinations and skin scrapings were performed on the lower legs of 156 Belgian draft horses and 142 Belgian warmblood horses.
  • The mite infestations were observed as early as 6 days in foals.
  • These horses were selected to examine the correlation between Chorioptes bovis mites causing mange and chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL).

Key Findings

  • Among the Belgian draft horses, 144 (92.31%) were found to be infested by C. bovis mites, and 126 (80.77%) showed clinical signs of CPL.
  • The study found a CPL prevalence of 17.86% in draft horses younger than 1 year, while mites were detected in 85.71% of this age group.
  • In contrast, Belgian warmblood horses did not show any signs of mite infestation or CPL.

Statistical Correlation Between Mites and CPL

  • Statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between C. bovis and CPL, with the prevalence odds ratio being 7.37 and the p-value = 0.002, indicating a significant association.
  • The prevalence of CPL was approximately twice as high in horses with mites compared to non-infested horses (prevalence ratio: 2.02).
  • The absolute increase in CPL prevalence among infested horses was substantial, at a risk difference of 42.36%.

Conclusion

  • The high prevalence of the C. bovis mite in Belgian draft horses and its breed-specific predilection were highlighted in the study.
  • The study suggests a potential role of chorioptic mange induced by C. bovis in contributing to the pathogenesis of CPL in this breed.

Cite This Article

APA
Brys M, Claerebout E, Saey V, Chiers K. (2025). High prevalence of Chorioptes bovis: an important factor in chronic progressive lymphedema in Belgian draft horses. Vet Res Commun, 49(3), 129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-10695-y

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 3
Pages: 129

Researcher Affiliations

Brys, M
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. Marieke.Brys@UGent.be.
Claerebout, E
  • Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Saey, V
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Chiers, K
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Prevalence
  • Lymphedema / veterinary
  • Lymphedema / parasitology
  • Lymphedema / epidemiology
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Male
  • Female
  • Mite Infestations / veterinary
  • Mite Infestations / epidemiology
  • Mite Infestations / parasitology
  • Mite Infestations / complications
  • Chronic Disease / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics approval: This is an observational study. The Ethical Committee of the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Bioscience Engineering of Ghent University, Belgium has confirmed that no ethical approval is required. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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