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Acta veterinaria Scandinavica1997; 38(2); 157-165; doi: 10.1186/BF03548495

Occurrence of Gasterophilus intestinalis and some parasitic nematodes of horses in Sweden.

Abstract: A survey was performed on the occurrence of some internal parasites in 461 horses (1-30 years old) slaughtered from October 1992 to September 1993 at the Linköping abattoir in central Sweden. Macroscopical examination was carried out specifically for parasites of the tear ducts and conjunctival sacs of the eyes, and of selected parts of the alimentary tract and cardio-vascular system. The following parasites were found in selected parts of the large intestine: encapsulated cyathostome larvae (in 35.6% of the horses), and mature strongyle worms (17.4%); in the stomach: Gasterophilus intestinalis (12.3% during October-June) and Habronema muscae (1.1%); and in the conjunctival sac: Thelazia lacrymalis (3.1%). Significantly more encapsulated cyathostome larvae were found during January to June than during other times of the year, and horses aged 1-5 years harboured significantly more larvae than older horses. Severe damage to the cranial mesenteric artery and its main branches was noticed in 16 (6.1%) out of 263 horses specifically examined. However, the 4th stage larva of Strongylus vulgaris was only recovered in 6 (2.3%) of the horses. Quantitative and qualitative faecal egg counts were done on 412 and 384 of the horses, respectively. Eggs of strongyles, Parascaris equorum and Strongyloides westeri were found in 78.1%, 1.9% and 0.2% of the faecal samples, respectively. Highest prevalence of strongyle eggs was found during July to September. Third stage larvae of the following nematodes were recovered from faecal cultures: subfamily Cyathostomum sensu lato (78.1%) Triodontophorus spp. (6.5%), Strongylus vulgaris (3.6%), Trichostrongylus axei (1.3%), while Gyalocephalus sp., Oesophagodontus sp., Poteriostomum sp. and Strongylus edentatus each comprised less than 0.5%. Förekomst och intensitet av styngflugelarver (), samt förekomst av vissa nematoder hos hästar i åldrarna 1–30 år undersökta vid slakteriet i Linköping redovisas. Undersökningen som var begränsad till att omfatta makroskopiskt synliga parasiter och parasitäre skador i magsäcken (n = 456), distala ileum, caecum och 0.5 m av proximala colon (n = 461), ögats konjuktivalsäck och tårkanal (n = 196), och krösroten (n = 263) pågick under tiden oktober 1992–september 1993. Hos de slaktade hästama påträffades larver av (9,9%) och (1,1%) i magsäcken medan inkapslade larver av små strongylida maskar (35,6%) och vuxna strongylida maskar (17,4%) noterades i grovtarmen. påträffades i ögonhålan hos 6 (3,1%) av hästama. Omfattande krösrotförändringar observerades hos 16 (6,1%) hästar medan intrevasala larver av däremot endast åtcrfanns hos 6 (2,3%) av de undersökta hästama. Hos merparten av de slaktade hästama genomfördes även kvantitativ och kvalitativ träckprovsundersökning avseende nematodägg. I den kvantitativa delen av undersökningen, som baserades på träckprover från 412 hästar, påträffades ägg av strongylider (78,1%), (1,9%) och (0,2%). Efter kvantitativ undersökning inkuberades 384 träckprover för att möjliggöra artbestämning av tredje stadiets larver. Följande arter identifierades: gruppen (78,1%), spp. (6,5%), (3,6%), (1,3%), medan sp., sp., sp. och utgjorde var och en mindre än 0,5%. Det visade sig att och numera är förhållandevis ovanliga parasiter hos svenska hästar sannolikt till följd av framgångsrika behandlingsprogram. Angrepp av små strongylida maskar utgör däremot fortfarande ett påtagligt problem.
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Publication Date: 1997-01-01 PubMed ID: 9257451PubMed Central: PMC8057032DOI: 10.1186/BF03548495Google 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 conducted a survey on the occurrence of internal parasites in horses slaughtered in central Sweden. The study identified various parasites in different parts of the horse’s body and discussed the frequency of their occurrence, the impact on the horses and the times when the parasites were most prevalent.

Survey and Examination

  • This research conducted a survey on 461 horses aged 1 to 30 years, slaughtered from October 1992 to September 1993 at the Linköping abattoir situated in central Sweden.
  • The survey carried out a detailed examination, specifically for parasites in different parts of the horse’s anatomy. This included the tear ducts and conjunctival sacs of the eyes, selected parts of the alimentary tract, and the cardiovascular system.

Findings

  • The researchers found several species of parasites in various parts of the horses’ anatomy. The large intestine hosted encapsulated cyathostome larvae and mature strongyle worms; the stomach was home to Gasterophilus intestinalis and Habronema muscae; and Thelazia lacrymalis was found in the conjunctival sac.
  • The occurrence of these parasites was not uniform throughout the year – more cyathostome larvae were found during January to June than other times of the year.
  • Horses aged 1-5 years harboured notably more larvae than older horses.
  • The research also observed severe damage to the cranial mesenteric artery and its main branches in some horses. However, the larva of Strongylus vulgaris, a species of roundworm, was only recovered in a few horses.

Faecal Examination

  • The study performed quantitative and qualitative faecal egg counts on majority of the horses.
  • Eggs from strongyles, Parascaris equorum and Strongyloides westeri were found in the faecal samples. The highest prevalence of strongyle eggs was recorded during July to September.
  • Various third-stage larvae of nematodes were recovered from the faecal cultures.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that certain parasites are relatively rare in Swedish horses, likely due to successful treatment programmes.
  • However, the study observed that infections from certain types of worms, specifically small strongylidae worms, continue to be a significant issue.

Cite This Article

APA
Höglund J, Ljungström BL, Nilsson O, Lundquist H, Osterman E, Uggla A. (1997). Occurrence of Gasterophilus intestinalis and some parasitic nematodes of horses in Sweden. Acta Vet Scand, 38(2), 157-165. https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548495

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 0044-605X
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 2
Pages: 157-165

Researcher Affiliations

Höglund, J
  • Department of Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden. johan.hoglund@sva.se
Ljungström, B L
    Nilsson, O
      Lundquist, H
        Osterman, E
          Uggla, A

            MeSH Terms

            • Age Factors
            • Animals
            • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
            • Breeding
            • Cardiovascular System / parasitology
            • Digestive System / parasitology
            • Diptera
            • Eye / parasitology
            • Eye Infections, Parasitic / epidemiology
            • Eye Infections, Parasitic / parasitology
            • Eye Infections, Parasitic / veterinary
            • Feces / parasitology
            • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / parasitology
            • Horses
            • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
            • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
            • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
            • Larva
            • Mesenteric Artery, Superior / parasitology
            • Mesenteric Artery, Superior / pathology
            • Myiasis / epidemiology
            • Myiasis / parasitology
            • Myiasis / veterinary
            • Nematode Infections / epidemiology
            • Nematode Infections / parasitology
            • Nematode Infections / veterinary
            • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
            • Prevalence
            • Seasons
            • Sensitivity and Specificity
            • Sex Factors
            • Stomach / parasitology
            • Sweden / epidemiology

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