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Home / Equine Research Bank / Med Vet Entomol / Hippobosca equina: Influences on oxidative stress and immune...
Medical and veterinary entomology2025; 40(1); 181-189; doi: 10.1111/mve.70041

Hippobosca equina: Influences on oxidative stress and immune-regulating cytokine responses in horses.

Abstract: Hippobosca equina, a common ectoparasite of horses, poses a significant challenge to equine health worldwide. This study provides a molecular characterization of H. equina and examines its impact on host immune responses and oxidative stress. Genetic analysis of samples from various regions revealed notable homogeneity, indicating limited genetic variation among populations. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated close genetic relationships among sequences from Egypt, France, Kazakhstan and Portugal, while also showing comparable but more distant identities to sequences from China, Denmark, Finland and other countries. Infested horses exhibited elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ, relative to uninfested control horses, indicating a strong immune response to the parasite. Additionally, there was a significant increase in oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and nitric oxide, indicating substantial cellular damage. These findings highlight the dual impact of H. equina infestations on horse health, prompting both immune activation and oxidative stress. This study emphasizes the importance of targeted pest management strategies that consider the genetic uniformity of parasites and host physiological responses. By providing valuable insights into the complex host-parasite interactions between H. equina and equine hosts, this research enhances our understanding of equine ectoparasites and suggests potential avenues for improving horse health and welfare.
© 2025 Royal Entomological Society.
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Publication Date: 2025-12-08 PubMed ID: 41358903DOI: 10.1111/mve.70041Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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Overview

  • This research characterizes the parasite Hippobosca equina genetically and assesses how it affects immune responses and oxidative stress in horses.
  • It reveals the parasite’s genetic similarities across regions and documents how infestations trigger immune reactions and oxidative damage in equine hosts.

Genetic Characterization of Hippobosca equina

  • The study collected H. equina samples from multiple geographic locations including Egypt, France, Kazakhstan, Portugal, China, Denmark, and Finland.
  • Genetic analysis showed a high degree of homogeneity, indicating there is limited genetic variation among H. equina populations worldwide.
  • Phylogenetic trees demonstrated close genetic relationships between samples from Egypt, France, Kazakhstan, and Portugal, suggesting these populations are very similar.
  • Samples from China, Denmark, and Finland showed relatedness but were more genetically distant, indicating some regional divergence.

Impact on Equine Immune Responses

  • Horses infested with H. equina had significantly elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to non-infested controls.
  • Key cytokines increased included IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, which are markers of immune system activation, indicating the horse’s immune system strongly responds to the parasite.
  • This upregulation suggests that the parasite stimulates an inflammatory immune response, potentially as the host attempts to combat the infestation.

Oxidative Stress Markers During Infestation

  • Infestations were linked to increased oxidative stress in horses, measured by elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and nitric oxide.
  • Malondialdehyde is a marker of lipid peroxidation and indicates cell membrane damage.
  • Catalase and glutathione peroxidase are antioxidant enzymes that mitigate oxidative damage but their elevated levels suggest a response to increased oxidative stress.
  • Nitric oxide levels also rose, which plays roles in inflammation and vascular regulation but excess can contribute to oxidative stress and tissue damage.
  • These markers collectively point to substantial cellular and molecular damage induced by H. equina infestations.

Implications and Applications

  • The dual effects of immune activation and oxidative stress highlight the complexity of host-parasite interactions in horses infested with H. equina.
  • The genetic uniformity of the parasite populations suggests that control strategies could be standardized across regions rather than needing highly localized approaches.
  • Understanding the molecular immune and oxidative responses can help in developing veterinary treatments aimed at reducing inflammatory damage and oxidative stress in infested horses.
  • The research supports the importance of integrated pest management strategies tailored to mitigate the physiological impacts of H. equina, thereby improving horse health and welfare worldwide.
  • Future research could explore therapeutic interventions to modulate the host’s immune response and oxidative stress during infestations or investigate vaccine development targeting parasite antigens.

Cite This Article

APA
El-Geneady MA, Ramadan RM, Mahdy OA, Kamel MS, Salem MA. (2025). Hippobosca equina: Influences on oxidative stress and immune-regulating cytokine responses in horses. Med Vet Entomol, 40(1), 181-189. https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.70041

Publication

Medical and veterinary entomology
ISSN: 1365-2915
NlmUniqueID: 8708682
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 40
Issue: 1
Pages: 181-189

Researcher Affiliations

El-Geneady, Menna A
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Ramadan, Reem M
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Mahdy, Olfat A
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Kamel, Mohamed S
  • Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Salem, Mai A
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Horses
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / immunology
  • Diptera / genetics
  • Diptera / physiology
  • Phylogeny

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
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