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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / Identification of strongyle eggs from anthelmintic-treated h...
Parasitology research2005; 95(4); 287-292; doi: 10.1007/s00436-004-1289-z

Identification of strongyle eggs from anthelmintic-treated horses using a PCR-ELISA based on intergenic DNA sequences.

Abstract: The efficacy of five daily fenbendazole (FBZ) treatments was tested against benzimidazole-resistant cyathostomins in naturally infected horses (n=13). Horses were treated with pyrantel embonate (PYR) to remove adult strongyles followed, 7 days later, by a 5-day course of FBZ. The PYR treatment produced an average faecal egg count reduction of 98%. All samples were negative by faecal egg count 7 days after the start of the FBZ treatment. Positive egg counts were observed from 28 days after the start of FBZ treatment and all horses displayed positive faecal egg counts by 77 days after treatment. Strongyle eggs were harvested from the faeces of the horses prior to treatment and then weekly from 42 to 70 days post-treatment. DNA was obtained from eggs in groups of ten. A PCR-ELISA, based on species-specific differences in intergenic DNA sequences, was used to identify the presence of six cyathostomin species. In pre-treatment samples, Cyathostomum catinatum was detected in nine out of the 13 horses and Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus goldi and Cylicocyclus nassatus, were found in samples from eight animals. Cylicocyclus ashworthi and Cylicocyclus insigne were not detected pre-treatment. After anthelmintic treatment, C. catinatum and C. longibursatus were most frequently detected, followed by C. nassatus, C. goldi and C. ashworthi. C. insigne was detected at only one time point in a sample from a single horse.
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Publication Date: 2005-01-29 PubMed ID: 15682337DOI: 10.1007/s00436-004-1289-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study examines the effectiveness of an anthelmintic treatment that combines pyrantel embonate and fenbendazole against a specific type of parasitic worm in horses. Through a series of tests, researchers tracked the reduction of worm eggs following treatment and identified the specific species of parasites present in the samples.

Experimental Design and Methodology

  • Thirteen naturally infected horses received pyrantel embonate, which resulted in an overall reduction in faecal egg count by 98%. The horses were then treated with a course of fenbendazole seven days later.
  • The effects of the treatment on each horse were tracked by observing faecal egg counts at various stages: 0, 7, 28, 42, 70, and 77 days after the initial treatment.
  • Parasitic strongyle eggs were collected before treatment and then weekly starting from day 42 to 70 post-treatment. The eggs from each collection were divided into groups of ten, and their DNA was extracted for testing.

PCR-ELISA Testing and Results

  • The PCR-ELISA test, which is designed to differentiate species based on differences in intergenic DNA sequences, was used to identify six cyathostomin species present in the collected samples.
  • Before the treatment, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, and Cylicocyclus nassatus were the most prevalent species found in the horses. Two other species, Cylicocyclus ashworthi and Cylicocyclus insigne, were not detected.
  • After treatment, the most commonly detected were C. catinatum and C. longibursatus, followed by C. nassatus, C. goldi and C. ashworthi. C. insigne was only detected once in the post-treatment samples.

Conclusions

  • The anthelmintic treatment that combines pyrantel embonate and fenbendazole showed an initial reduction of faecal egg count in treated horses. However, positive egg counts were observed again from day 28 post-treatment.
  • Most of the cyathostomin species identified before the treatment were also detected afterwards, revealing the persistent nature of some parasitic infestations. Further research would be required to determine if this is due to resistance to the anthelmintic treatment or if there are other factors at play.

Cite This Article

APA
Hodgkinson JE, Freeman KL, Lichtenfels JR, Palfreman S, Love S, Matthews JB. (2005). Identification of strongyle eggs from anthelmintic-treated horses using a PCR-ELISA based on intergenic DNA sequences. Parasitol Res, 95(4), 287-292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-004-1289-z

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 0932-0113
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 95
Issue: 4
Pages: 287-292

Researcher Affiliations

Hodgkinson, J E
  • Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool, Pembroke Place, Liverpool , L3 5QA, UK. jhodgkin@liv.ac.uk
Freeman, K L
    Lichtenfels, J R
      Palfreman, S
        Love, S
          Matthews, J B

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Antinematodal Agents / administration & dosage
            • Antinematodal Agents / therapeutic use
            • DNA, Helminth / genetics
            • DNA, Intergenic / genetics
            • Drug Resistance
            • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
            • Feces / parasitology
            • Fenbendazole / administration & dosage
            • Fenbendazole / therapeutic use
            • Horses
            • Parasite Egg Count
            • Polymerase Chain Reaction
            • Pyrantel Pamoate / therapeutic use
            • Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
            • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
            • Strongyloidea / classification
            • Strongyloidea / drug effects
            • Strongyloidea / isolation & purification

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 8 times.
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