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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / Investigation of strongyle EPG values in horse mares relativ...
Parasitology research2011; 110(6); 2237-2245; doi: 10.1007/s00436-011-2755-z

Investigation of strongyle EPG values in horse mares relative to known age, number positive, and level of egg shedding in field studies on 26 farms in Central Kentucky (2010-2011).

Abstract: A parasite study was done in 1,300 horse mares on 26 farms in Central Kentucky over a 5-month period in 2010 and 2011. The mares included 1,114 Thoroughbreds (TB) on 24 farms, 64 Standardbreds (SB) on 1 farm, and 122 mixed light horse types (MLH) on 1 farm. The objective of this research was to determine strongyle eggs per gram of feces (EPG) counts for evaluation by known age, number positive, and level of egg shedding by the mares. This was done to establish strongyle EPG profiles for the mares to aid in determining whether antiparasitic treatment was necessary. Eggs found were considered those of small strongyles. (A) For the Thoroughbred mares, (1) 362 (32%) were EPG-positive, and (2) the average (percentage) of EPG-positive mares by year of age was 3-5 (54%), 6-10 (36%), 11-15 (24%), 16-20 (17%), and >20 (21%); (3) EPG average counts were similar for all age categories except for the 6- to 10-year-olds, which were higher; (4) and the average (percentage) of positive mares by 100 units of EPG counts was ≤100 (50%), ≤200 (62%), ≤300 (70%), ≤400 (76%), ≤500 (80%), and >500 (20%). (B) For the Standardbred mares, 31 (48%) were EPG-positive; (2) the average (percentage) of EPG-positive mares by year of age (no >20 sampled) was lowest for the 3-5 and 16-20 categories and highest for the 6-10 and 11-15 groups; (3) EPG average counts by years of age were lowest for 3-5, 11-15, and 16-20 groups and highest for the 6-10 group; and (4) the average (percentage) of positive mares by 100 units of EPGs was 62% for the ≤100 category, 71-84% for ≤200 to ≤400 units, and the highest (97%) for the ≤500 unit. (C) For the mixed light horse type mares: (1) 94 (77%) were EPG-positive, (2) the average (percentage) of EPG-positive mares by age was lowest for the two oldest age groups, higher for the 11 to 15-year-old age group, and highest for the two youngest age groups; (3) EPG average counts by year of age were lowest for the 16-20 group, higher for the 6-10 and >20 groups, and highest for 3-5 and 11-15 groups; (4) the average (percentage) of positive mares by 100 units of EPG counts was lowest for the ≤100 category (23%), increasing about 10% progressively in ≤200 to ≤500 categories, but lower (37%) for the >500 category. (D) For all the three mare types (TB, SB, and MLH), 37% of the mares were EPG-positive, and 63% of the mares were EPG-negative; for the age (years) of positive mares, about one half belonged to the 3-5 category and a progressive decrease was seen for the 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20 groups, and 36% for the >20-year-olds; the mean strongyle EPGs highest range was seen in the 11- to 15-year-olds; the highest mean was in the 6- to 10-year-olds, and the lowest mean in the 3- to 5- and 16- to 20-year-olds. For the grouping of the strongyle EPG values by units of 100, three-fourths were in the ≤500 category, and the lowest percentage was for the >500 category. This research showed the value of strongyle EPG profiling for the mares. It was most useful for TBs where data from a large number of horses showed that over two-thirds were EPG-negative, indicating that there would be no known problem in deciding not to deworm them. While data were not as clear-cut on the SB and MLH mares, several of those which were negative and with "low" EPG values could be excluded from antiparasitic treatment.
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Publication Date: 2011-12-14 PubMed ID: 22167377DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2755-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research focused on assessing infection levels of a common parasite in different horse breeds to inform effective deworming strategies.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research aimed to determine the presence of strongyle eggs, a common parasite, in horse feces, categorizing them as eggs per gram (EPG) based on the horse’s breed, age, and the intensity of the infection.
  • The study involved 1,300 horse mares across 26 farms in Central Kentucky during 2010-2011. The sample comprised 1,114 Thoroughbreds, 64 Standardbreds, and 122 mixed light horse types.
  • The parameter used to measure infection was EPG, with eggs found considered to be of small strongyles. This information would help determine if antiparasitic treatment was necessary.

Key Findings

  • The study discovered different levels of infection across the different horse types. For Thoroughbreds, 32% were EPG-positive, with older horses showing a lesser percentage of positive cases. The EPG counts were similar across ages, except for the 6-10 year-olds, which were higher.
  • In the case of Standardbreds, 48% were EPG-positive. The highest percentage of positive mares by age was seen in the 6-10 and 11-15 age groups. The majority of EPG-positive mares had counts ≤500 units.
  • Among the mixed light horse type mares, 77% were EPG-positive, with the highest percentage of positive cases among the two youngest age groups. EPG counts were highest for the 3-5 and 11-15 age groups.
  • Across all three horse types studied, 37% were EPG-positive and 63% EPG-negative. Around half of the positive horses were in the 3-5 age group, with the percentage decreasing with age. Strongyle EPG ranged highest among the 11-15 year-olds, with the lowest EPG counts in the 3-5 and 16-20 age categories.

Implications

  • The research demonstrated the value of strongyle EPG profiling in horses. It was particularly effective for Thoroughbreds as over two thirds were EPG-negative and thus, did not require deworming.
  • Although data for Standardbreds and mixed light horses were not as definitive, several horses from these types that were EPG negative or had low EPG values could also be exempted from antiparasitic treatment. This could lead to more efficient and cost-effective treatment methodologies.

Cite This Article

APA
Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Kuzmina TA. (2011). Investigation of strongyle EPG values in horse mares relative to known age, number positive, and level of egg shedding in field studies on 26 farms in Central Kentucky (2010-2011). Parasitol Res, 110(6), 2237-2245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2755-z

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 110
Issue: 6
Pages: 2237-2245

Researcher Affiliations

Lyons, E T
  • Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA. elyons1@uky.edu
Tolliver, S C
    Kuzmina, T A

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Factors
      • Animals
      • Feces / parasitology
      • Female
      • Horses / parasitology
      • Kentucky
      • Parasite Egg Count
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
      • Strongyloidea / isolation & purification

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 2 times.
      1. Elghryani N, McOwan T, Mincher C, Duggan V, de Waal T. Estimating the Prevalence and Factors Affecting the Shedding of Helminth Eggs in Irish Equine Populations.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 7;13(4).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13040581pubmed: 36830368google scholar: lookup
      2. Schneider S, Pfister K, Becher AM, Scheuerle MC. Strongyle infections and parasitic control strategies in German horses - a risk assessment.. BMC Vet Res 2014 Nov 12;10:262.
        doi: 10.1186/s12917-014-0262-zpubmed: 25387542google scholar: lookup
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