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Parasitology research2011; 109(6); 1529-1535; doi: 10.1007/s00436-011-2460-y

Observations on development of natural infection and species composition of small strongyles in young equids in Kentucky.

Abstract: Early development and maturation of species of small strongyles have not been studied extensively. Most information is on the first appearance of strongyle eggs in feces of foals. However, species cannot be determined in this manner because of similarity of the morphological features of the eggs. To determine more definitive knowledge on development and species composition of natural infections of small strongyles, eight equid foals were necropsied and examined at various ages (31 to 92 days of age). The entire contents of the large intestine were examined, and all worms (6,671) recovered were identified. This was done to recover small strongyle specimens in an effort to find the stage of development of the worms for different time periods. The primary interest was to obtain data on the potential prepatent period. A total of 17 species of small strongyles were recovered. The earliest gravid female was Cylicostephanus longibursatus in a 57-day-old foal; then Cylicostephanus goldi was positive at 64 days, Cyathostomum catinatum at 68 days, Coronocyclus coronatus and Cylicostephanus calicatus at 70 days, Coronocyclus labiatus, Cylicocyclus leptostomus, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus hybridus, and Cylicostephanus minutus at 74 days, and Cylicostephanus bidentatus at 92 days. While it is not known exactly when the foals began eating pasture vegetation (typically they begin to graze a short time after birth) and first ate infective free-living third-stage larvae, the results give an indication of the natural prepatent period of several species of small strongyles. Additional data are presented on the number of worms per foal, distribution of the worms in the parts (cecum, ventral colon, and dorsal colon) of the large intestine, and proportion of species found.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-26 PubMed ID: 21614543DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2460-yGoogle 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 study focuses on understanding the development and species composition of small strongyles – a type of intestinal worms – in young equids in Kentucky. For this, the researchers examined eight foal corpses aged between 31 to 92 days and identified 17 species of small strongyles.

Research Methodology

  • The study conducted a necropsy on eight equid foals that were variously aged between 31 to 92 days.
  • The researchers thoroughly examined the contents of the large intestine. A total of 6,671 worms were recovered, identified, and studied to assess the development stage at different periods.
  • The primary intent was to collect data on the prepatent period, which is the period between infection and detectability. This will help understand when the worms begin developing reproductive capabilities within the hosts.

Findings

  • A total of 17 species of small strongyles were identified from the foals.
  • The earliest gravid female (a worm capable of laying eggs) identified was Cylicostephanus longibursatus in a 57-day-old foal. Various other species were identified at different ages afterward.
  • The data provides insight on the prepatent period of numerous small strongyle species. However, the exact grazing commencement (when the foals started to ingest infective larvae) remains uncertain as foals usually start grazing shortly after birth.

Additional Findings

  • The researchers also provided data on the worm count per foal, the distribution of worms across different sections of the large intestine (cecum, ventral colon, and dorsal colon), and the proportion of individual species of strongyles found.
  • This information can aid in understanding the infection patterns, species distribution, the general pattern of infestation and help develop effective deworming protocols for equines.

Cite This Article

APA
Lyons ET, Kuzmina TA, Tolliver SC, Collins SS. (2011). Observations on development of natural infection and species composition of small strongyles in young equids in Kentucky. Parasitol Res, 109(6), 1529-1535. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2460-y

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 109
Issue: 6
Pages: 1529-1535

Researcher Affiliations

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

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Antinematodal Agents / pharmacology
        • Antinematodal Agents / therapeutic use
        • Drug Resistance
        • Feces / parasitology
        • Horses
        • Humans
        • Kentucky / epidemiology
        • Male
        • Ovum
        • Parasite Egg Count
        • Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
        • Strongyle Infections, Equine / epidemiology
        • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
        • Strongylida / classification
        • Strongylida / drug effects
        • Strongylida / growth & development
        • Strongylida / isolation & purification

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 8 times.
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