Historical perspective of cyathostomes: prevalence, treatment and control programs.

The research article explores the history and prevalence of cyathostomes or small strongyles in horses, studies past methods used for their control and treatment, and considers the need for new strategies for parasite control due to emerging resistance in the small strongyles to the available antiparasitic compounds.

About Cyathostomes

• Also known as small strongyles, these parasites are highly prevalent in horses and can be found worldwide.
• More than 50 species of small strongyles exist, but around 10 species make up the majority of this parasite population in horses.

Historical Efforts for Control and Treatment

• Treatment and control measures against small strongyles and other internal parasites in horses have been ongoing for many years.
• Earlier medications and control methods had dubious efficacy against these parasites.
• Such early interventions could potentially harm the horse, regardless of their impact on the parasites.
• Since the early 1900s, scientific efforts have been made to analyse and improve the effectiveness of antiparasitic compounds.

Treatment Limitations and Emerging Resistance

• Despite the scientific advancements, only a limited number of compounds have been developed for parasite control.
• Newer drugs offer broader spectrum effectiveness, increased safety, and require lower dose rates than their predecessors.
• However, due to widespread use of parasiticides, small strongyles have developed resistance to all commercially available compounds aside from macrocyclic lactones.

The Need for Future Control Programs

• There is a necessity to devise innovative parasite-control programs, which rely less on drugs, due to the evolved resistance in these parasites.
• The research stresses the need for the development of new and more effective antiparasitic compounds and alternative control strategies to combat the growing issue of parasite resistance.