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Parasitology research2011; 110(1); 335-339; doi: 10.1007/s00436-011-2495-0

Observations on effects of a neem seed extract (MiteStop®) on biting lice (mallophages) and bloodsucking insects parasitizing horses.

Abstract: The hair of 300 horses belonging to short hair and long hair races had been routinely treated during the last 3 years with a neem seed extract (MiteStop®) in order to kill mallophages (e.g., specimens of the genus Werneckiella). It was found that in all cases, a hidden infestation with these biting lice had existed, which became visible when the product (diluted 1:20 with tap water) was brushed onto the hair. The mallophages left the body surface and became visible as a fine "wooly looking" layer at the tips of the hair. Furthermore, this treatment stopped the forming of dandruff of the skin of the horses, which, in case of heavy mallophage infestations, had looked like being powdered. Another interesting result of the treatment was reported by the riders. They described that the product had a considerable repellent effect on bloodsucking tabanids, mosquitoes, ceratopogonids, simuliids, as well as on licking flies. This repellency effect was noted to last for up to 7 days if the horses were not washed.
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Publication Date: 2011-06-22 PubMed ID: 21695566DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2495-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • 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.

The study observes the effects of a neem seed extract called MiteStop® on biting lice and blood-sucking insects infesting horses. The study found that MiteStop successfully pushed the lice away from the horses’ bodies and minimized associated dandruff, while also repelling other types of blood-sucking insects for up to 7 days.

Methodology and Sample

  • The researchers used a sample of 300 horses, that included short hair and long hair races, which had been treated with a neem seed extract, MiteStop®, over the last 3 years.

Findings on Horse Lice (Mallophages)

  • All the horses were found to have a previously hidden infestation with biting lice, belonging to the genus Werneckiella.
  • When MiteStop®, diluted 1:20 with tap water, was brushed onto the horses’ hair, the lice left the surface of their bodies, becoming visible as a fine, wooly layer.
  • The treatment also effectively minimized the production of dandruff on the horses’ skin that was previously mistaken for powder in case of heavy lice infestations.

Observations on Other Insects

  • According to horse riders, MiteStop® also had a considerable repellent effect on other bloodsucking insects, aside from the biting lice. This included tabanids (horseflies), mosquitoes, ceratopogonids (biting midges), simuliids (blackflies), and licking flies.
  • The repelling effect on these insects was observed to last for up to 7 days, provided that the horses were not washed during this period.

Implications and Conclusion

  • The research suggests that MiteStop® can be effectively used to control and prevent lice infestations in horses, and can also be used as a repellent for other types of bloodsucking insects that commonly bother horses.
  • It provides an indication that neem extracts might be a potentially useful ingredient in the development of insect repellent products for horses, and perhaps for other animals suffering from insect-related issues as well.

Cite This Article

APA
Al-Quraishy S, Abdel-Ghaffar F, Al-Rasheid KA, Mehlhorn J, Mehlhorn H. (2011). Observations on effects of a neem seed extract (MiteStop®) on biting lice (mallophages) and bloodsucking insects parasitizing horses. Parasitol Res, 110(1), 335-339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2495-0

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 110
Issue: 1
Pages: 335-339

Researcher Affiliations

Al-Quraishy, Saleh
  • Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdel-Ghaffar, Fathy
    Al-Rasheid, Khaled A S
      Mehlhorn, Julia
        Mehlhorn, Heinz

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Azadirachta / chemistry
          • Ectoparasitic Infestations / drug therapy
          • Ectoparasitic Infestations / parasitology
          • Ectoparasitic Infestations / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
          • Horse Diseases / parasitology
          • Horses / parasitology
          • Insect Repellents / administration & dosage
          • Insecticides / administration & dosage
          • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
          • Seeds / chemistry
          • Treatment Outcome

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 13 times.
          1. Castilla-Castaño E, Vischi A, Navarro C, Lecru LA, Ribeiro C, Pradier S, Cadiergues MC. Control of lice infestation in horses using a 10 mg/mL deltamethrin topical application. Ir Vet J 2017;70:22.
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          7. Benelli G, Conti B, Garreffa R, Nicoletti M. Shedding light on bioactivity of botanical by-products: neem cake compounds deter oviposition of the arbovirus vector Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the field. Parasitol Res 2014 Mar;113(3):933-40.
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            doi: 10.1007/s00436-013-3688-5pubmed: 24276644google scholar: lookup
          9. Seddiek SA, Khater HF, El-Shorbagy MM, Ali AM. The acaricidal efficacy of aqueous neem extract and ivermectin against Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi in experimentally infested rabbits. Parasitol Res 2013 Jun;112(6):2319-30.
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          10. Veneziano V, Neglia G, Galietti A, Rufrano D, Bassini A, Mariani U, Gokbulut C. Efficacy of alphacypermetrin pour-on against natural Werneckiella equi infestation on donkeys (Equus asinus). Parasitol Res 2012 Sep;111(3):967-73.
            doi: 10.1007/s00436-012-2920-zpubmed: 22526295google scholar: lookup
          11. Mehlhorn H, Walldorf V, Abdel-Ghaffar F, Al-Quraishy S, Al-Rasheid KA, Mehlhorn J. Biting and bloodsucking lice of dogs--treatment by means of a neem seed extract (MiteStop®, Wash Away Dog). Parasitol Res 2012 Feb;110(2):769-73.
            doi: 10.1007/s00436-011-2613-zpubmed: 21881947google scholar: lookup
          12. Walldorf V, Mehlhorn H, Al-Quraishy S, Al-Rasheid KA, Abdel-Ghaffar F, Mehlhorn J. Treatment with a neem seed extract (MiteStop®) of beetle larvae parasitizing the plumage of poultry. Parasitol Res 2012 Feb;110(2):623-7.
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          13. Al-Quraishy S, Abdel-Ghaffar F, Al-Rasheid KA, Mehlhorn J, Mehlhorn H. Effects of a neem seed extract (MiteStop®) on mallophages (featherlings) of chicken: in vivo and in vitro studies. Parasitol Res 2012 Feb;110(2):617-22.
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