Impaired efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin against intestinal nematodes in adult horses in Iran.
Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin on strongyles and Parascaris sp. infecting adult riding horses in three regions with different climates. During 2021 and 2022 fecal specimens were randomly collected from 483 horses older than three years in 31 equestrian clubs in Hamedan (n = 217), Yazd (n = 146) and Tabriz cities (n = 120). Eggs were counted by McMaster technique, and the strongyle larvae were identified using coproculture, PCR and sequencing. Horses with strongyles and Parascaris egg counts ≥150 were enrolled in fecal egg count reduction (FECR) examination following treatment with ivermectin or fenbendazole. In total, 26.5% of examined horses were positive with at least one parasite. Infection rates varied in three cities i.e., 25.8% in Hamedan, 28.8% in Yazd, 25% in Tabriz. Fifty-seven horses had FECR measured. FECR below <90% was observed for IVM-strongyle in two horses in Tabriz, for FBZ-strongyle in two horses in Tabriz and two horses in Hamedan, for IVM-Parascaris in one horse in all three cities, and for FBZ-Parascaris in one horse in Yazd. Furthermore, FECR 90-100% was observed in IVM-Parascaris and FBZ -Parascaris groups in Tabriz. Data herein presented demonstrate different degrees of resistance of strongyles and Parascaris infecting horses in Iran against both ivermectin and fenbendazole. Since non-principled use of anthelminthics is common among horse owners, urgency of test-and-treatment strategy should be educated and implemented by policy-making organizations. Evaluating efficacy of different anthelminthics and choosing the most effective treatment in each region is suggested.
Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Date: 2023-11-07 PubMed ID: 37952299DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105078Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research examines the efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin on parasites infecting adult horses in Iran. The study reveals varied levels of resistance against these treatments and suggests a test-and-treatment strategy by evaluating different anthelminthics for effective parasite control.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted the study on adult horses aged over three years from different equestrian clubs in the cities of Hamedan, Yazd, and Tabriz, in Iran.
- A total of 483 horses were randomly selected, and their fecal samples were collected in the years 2021 and 2022.
- Parasitic presence and identification were performed using the McMaster technique for egg count, coproculture for larvae identification, and PCR and sequencing for strongyle larvae.
- Horses with significant egg counts (equal to or more than 150) were subjected to the ‘fecal egg count reduction’ (FECR) test post treatment with fenbendazole or ivermectin.
Findings
- The study found that at least one form of parasitic infection was present in 26.5% of the examined horses.
- The infection rates were 25.8% in Hamedan, 28.8% in Yazd, and 25% in Tabriz.
- In some horses, it was found that the FECR rate was less than 90% for both ivermectin and fenbendazole against strongyles and Parascaris. This indicates some degree of resistance in the parasites against these drugs.
- However, FECR rates of 90-100% were observed in some cases, particularly against Parascaris in Tabriz.
Implications
- The varying efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin against parasites in horses indicates the existence of drug resistance.
- The researchers concluded that a test-and-treat strategy should be emphasized to horse owners and implemented by policy-making bodies.
- This strategy involves the evaluation of the efficacy of different anthelminthics and subsequent selection of the most effective treatment for each specific region.
Cite This Article
APA
Ashrafzadeh-Shiraz M, Tavassoli M, Dalir-Naghadeh B, Sazmand A.
(2023).
Impaired efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin against intestinal nematodes in adult horses in Iran.
Res Vet Sci, 166, 105078.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105078 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, 5756151818 Urmia, Iran.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, 5756151818 Urmia, Iran. Electronic address: m.tavassoli@urmia.ac.ir.
- Department of Internal Disease and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, 5756151818 Urmia, Iran. Electronic address: b.dalir@urmia.ac.ir.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, 6517658978 Hamedan, Iran. Electronic address: alireza.sazmand@basu.ac.ir.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.
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