Observations on the Echinococcus granulosus horse strain in Spain.
Abstract: The Spanish sheep and horse strains of Echinococcus granulosus possess several differential characteristics in their metacestode stage. Cysts from sheep vary widely in size and fertility, but they usually have a thin cyst wall and, when fertile, a whitish hydatid sand formed by brood capsules and protoscoleces. Two types of infections have been observed in horses: one resembling that of sheep, caused by small, non-fertile cysts with a thin wall, and a second type caused by medium to large, always fertile cysts with a thick wall. In this latter case, hydatid sand is always dark brown in color and formed mainly by brood capsules (with almost no free protoscoleces) and abundant calcareous corpuscles. These characteristics of the fertile equine cysts, which were identified in other studies by genetic, biochemical, immunological and physiological criteria as belonging to the horse strain, have not been previously described nor observed in cysts from other host species. It is considered that the horse strain possesses a strong intermediate host specificity.
Publication Date: 1998-07-08 PubMed ID: 9653991DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(97)00087-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates the differences between the sheep and horse strains of Echinococcus granulosus, a parasitic worm, in Spain. The study reveals variations in size, fertility, and other characteristics between the two strains, with a notable differentiation being the two types of infections observed in horses.
Echinococcus granulosus Strains
The study starts with addressing the two studied strains of the Echinococcus granulosus, a parasitic tapeworm, in Spain – ones that infect sheep and ones that infect horses. Key differences between the strains include:
- The size and fertility of the metacestode stage cysts varies greatly in the sheep strain.
- Generally, these cysts of the sheep strain feature a thin wall. When they are fertile, they contain a whitish hydatid sand formed by brood capsules and protoscoleces.
Infections Observed in Horses
The research further expounds on the two types of Echinococcus granulosus infections observed in horses:
- The first type of infection resembles that of sheep, triggered by small, non-fertile cysts boasting a thin wall.
- The second type results from medium to large, always fertile cysts with a thick wall. These cysts have a dark brown colored hydatid sand which is typically formed mostly from brood capsules (with almost no free protoscoleces) and plenty of calcareous corpuscles.
Unique Characteristics of the Horse Strain
The study brings to light some unique characteristics of the horse strain of Echinococcus granulosus, distinguishing them from all other strains:
- The fertile equine cysts, classified by genetic, biochemical, immunological, and physiological criteria, possess some key features not previously observed or described in cysts derived from other host species.
- The research emphasizes a strong intermediate host specificity inherent in the horse strain.
Overall, this research broadens the comprehension around the different strains of Echinococcus granulosus and their varying impacts on different hosts. Understanding these aspects of the pathogen’s biology could be critical in informing the strategies for its control.
Cite This Article
APA
Ponce Gordo F, Cuesta Bandera C.
(1998).
Observations on the Echinococcus granulosus horse strain in Spain.
Vet Parasitol, 76(1-2), 65-70.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-4017(97)00087-3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, Spain. pponce@eucmax.sim.ucm.es
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Echinococcosis / pathology
- Echinococcosis / veterinary
- Echinococcus / classification
- Echinococcus / isolation & purification
- Echinococcus / physiology
- Fertility
- Horse Diseases
- Horses / parasitology
- Sheep / parasitology
- Sheep Diseases
- Spain
- Species Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Macin S, Orsten S, Samadzade R, Colak B, Cebeci H, Fındık D. Human and animal cystic echinococcosis in Konya, Turkey: molecular identification and the first report of E. equinus from human host in Turkey. Parasitol Res 2021 Feb;120(2):563-568.
- Varcasia A, Garippa G, Pipia AP, Scala A, Brianti E, Giannetto S, Battelli G, Poglayen G, Micagni G. Cystic echinococcosis in equids in Italy. Parasitol Res 2008 Mar;102(4):815-8.
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