Lice infesting horses in three agroecological zones in central Oromia.
Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and species composition of lice infesting horses in three agroecological zones in seven different districts in central Oromia from November 2011 to April 2012. For this purpose, a total of 420 horses were thoroughly examined for presence of lice. Collected lice were identified to species level under a microscope. The study showed an overall prevalence of 28.8 % (121/420) lice infestation on horses. We identified two spp. of lice on horses namely, Bovicola (Werneckiella) equi and Haematopinus asini with an overall prevalence of 22.9 % (96/420) and 5.9 % (25/420), respectively. The overall prevalence of lice infestation on horses in districts was 48.3, 43.3, 33.3, 23.3, 21.7, 18.3 and 13.3 %, in Debre Brehan, Shashemene, Hawassa, Akaki, Adama, Modjo and Bishoftu, respectively. B. equi was encountered as the predominant species on horses in all districts. Higher overall prevalence of lice infestation was recorded in highland agroecology than mid and lowland agroecological zones. Similarly, our study revealed significantly higher overall prevalence of lice on saddle horses than on cart horses. In view of the findings of the present study two species of lice are responsible for health and welfare problems of horses in all the districts. Detailed epidemiological studies on the significance, prevalence and role of lice as vectors of zoonotic pathogens in different agroecological zones, breeds and management systems warrant urgent attention. Animal owners and veterinarians should consider lice control in horses as part of the ectoparasite control in other species of animals.
Publication Date: 2013-02-03 PubMed ID: 25320481PubMed Central: PMC4185038DOI: 10.1007/s12639-013-0235-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article presents a study on lice infestation in horses across three agroecological zones in central Oromia, identifying two louse species and noting varying prevalence rates across different districts.
Objective of Research
- The primary objective of this research was to determine both the prevalence and types of lice infesting horses in three different agroecological zones spanning seven districts in central Oromia. The study was carried out from November 2011 to April 2012.
Methods
- To achieve this, a total of 420 horses were carefully examined for the presence of lice.
- The lice found were collected and then identified using microscope examination to determine their species.
Primary Findings
- The researchers discovered that 28.8% (121 out of 420) of the horses surveyed were infested with lice.
- They identified two separate species of lice: Bovicola (Werneckiella) equi, with a prevalence of 22.9% (96 out of 420), and Haematopinus asini, with a prevalence of 5.9% (25 out of 420).
Findings by Geographic Location
- The study found varying rates of lice infestation in different districts, with the highest prevalence observed in Debre Brehan at 48.3%, and the lowest in Bishoftu at 13.3%.
- The B. equi species was identified as the most predominant in all surveyed districts.
- Moreover, the researchers noted that the overall prevalence of lice infestation was higher in the highland agroecology compared to the mid and lowland zones.
Effects on Horse Type
- The research also revealed a significantly higher prevalence of lice in saddle horses compared to cart horses.
Implications
- The investigation attests to the two species of lice causing serious health and welfare problems for horses in all the studied districts.
- The authors also call for a detailed study on the significance, prevalence, and role of lice as possible vectors for zoonotic pathogens across various agroecological zones, horse breeds, and management systems.
- They further emphasise the need for horse owners and veterinarians to include lice control in their wider ectoparasite control strategies for various animal species.
Cite This Article
APA
Tafese A, Jibat T, Aklilu N, Zewdu H, Kumsa B.
(2013).
Lice infesting horses in three agroecological zones in central Oromia.
J Parasit Dis, 38(4), 352-357.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-013-0235-3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
- Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA), College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
- Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA), College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia ; Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, 13005 Marseille, France.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Mesafint E, Dejene H, Maru M, Tarekegn ZS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of parasitic infections in equids in Ethiopia. J Parasit Dis 2023 Sep;47(3):451-464.
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