FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Occurrence of Gasterophilus intestinalis and some parasitic ...
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1997-01-01 PubMed ID: 9257451PubMed Central: PMC8057032DOI: 10.1186/BF03548495Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 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

            References

            This article includes 23 references
            1. Anonymous: Fass® VET. Läkemedel för veterinär-medicinskt bruk. (Drugs for veterinary use). Läkemedelsinformation AB, Stockholm 1996.
            2. Austin SM. Large strongyles in horses. Comp. cont. Educ. pract. Vet. 1994;16:650–657.
            3. Bauer CV. Befall mit Magenparasiten bei Pferden in Norddeutschland. (Gastrointestinal parasitic infections of horses in Northern Gernamy). Dtsch. Tierärtztl. Wschr. 1986;93:377–464.
            4. Bernard N, Collobert C, Tariel G, Lamidey C. Étude épidémiologique des gasterophiloses équines a l’autopsiie en Normadie d’avril 1990 a mars 1992. (On the epidemiology of gasterophilosis of equines in Normandie between April 1990 and March 1992). Rec. Méd. Vét. 1994 pp. 231–235.
            5. Campbell WD, Leaning WHD, Seward RL. Use of ivermectin in horses. Ivermectin and abamectin New York Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1989. pp. 234–244.
            6. DiPietro JA. A review of Strongyloides westeri infections in foals. Eq. Pract. 1989;11:35–40.
              doi: 10.1136/inpract.11.1.35google scholar: lookup
            7. Dunsmore JD, Jue Sue LP. Prevalence and epidemiology of the major gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Perth, Western Australia.. Equine Vet J 1985 May;17(3):208-13.
              doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02472.xpubmed: 2934246google scholar: lookup
            8. Edwards GT. The prevalence of Gasterophilus intestinalis in horses in northern England and Wales.. Vet Parasitol 1982 Nov;11(2-3):215-22.
              doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(82)90044-9pubmed: 6891853google scholar: lookup
            9. French DD, Chapman MR. Tapeworms of the equine gastrointestinal tract. Comp. cont. Educ. pract. Vet. 1992;14:655–661.
            10. Höglund J, Ljungström BL, Nilsson O, Uggla A. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to Anoplocephala perfoliata in horse sera.. Vet Parasitol 1995 Sep;59(2):97-106.
              doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(94)00755-2pubmed: 7483241google scholar: lookup
            11. Lichtenfels JL. Helminths of domestic equids. Illustrated key to genera and species with emphasis on North American forms. Proc. helminthol. Soc. Wash. 1975;42:1–92.
            12. Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Drudge JH, Swerczek TW, Crowe MW. Common internal parasites found in the stomach, large intestine, and cranial mesenteric artery of thoroughbreds in Kentucky at necropsy (1985 to 1986).. Am J Vet Res 1987 Feb;48(2):268-73.
              pubmed: 2950814
            13. Nilsson O, Andersson T. Strongylus vulgaris hos häst–epizootologi och profylax. (Strongylus vulgaris of horses–epizootiology and prophylaxis). Sv. Vet.-tidn. 1979;31:148–156.
            14. Nilsson O, Andersson T, Isendahl B. Nematodinfektioner hos häst. (Nematode infections of horses). Sv. Vet.-tidn. 1975;27:959–961.
            15. Nilsson O, Lindholm A, Christensson D. A field evaluation of anthelmintics in horses in Sweden.. Vet Parasitol 1989 Jul 15;32(2-3):163-71.
              doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(89)90117-9pubmed: 2773268google scholar: lookup
            16. Nilsson O, Ljungström BL, Höglund J, Lundquist H, Uggla A. Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses in Sweden: prevalence, infection levels and intestinal lesions.. Acta Vet Scand 1995;36(3):319-28.
              pmc: PMC8095443pubmed: 7502948doi: 10.1186/bf03547677google scholar: lookup
            17. Price RE, Stromberg PC. Seasonal occurrence and distribution of Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis in the stomachs of equids in Texas.. Am J Vet Res 1987 Aug;48(8):1225-32.
              pubmed: 3631711
            18. Principato M. Observations on the occurrence of five species of Gasterophilus larvae in free-ranging horses in Umbria, central Italy.. Vet Parasitol 1989 May;31(2):173-7.
              pubmed: 2741303doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(89)90032-0google scholar: lookup
            19. Reinemeyer CR, Smith SA, Gabel AA, Herd RP. The prevalence and intensity of internal parasites of horses in the U.S.A.. Vet Parasitol 1984 Jul;15(1):75-83.
              doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(84)90112-2pubmed: 6237483google scholar: lookup
            20. Suderman MT, Craig TM, Jones LP. Ascarid infections in foals: a review and case report. Southwest. Vet. 1979;32:21–23.
            21. Sweeney H. The prevalence and pathogenicity of Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae in horses in Ireland. Irish vet. J. 1990;43:67–73.
            22. Tolling S. Bekämpning av Strongylus vulgaris hos häst genom systematisk avmaskning. (Control of Strongylus vulgaris of horses by systematic deworming). Sv. Vet.-tidn. 1976;28:287–289.
            23. Uhlinger CA. Equine small strongyles: epidemiology, pathology, and control. Comp. cont. Educ. pract. Vet. 1991;13:332–338.

            Citations

            This article has been cited 19 times.
            1. Osterman-Lind E, Holmberg M, Grandi G. Selective Anthelmintic Treatment in Horses in Sweden Based on Coprological Analyses: Ten-Year Results. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 28;13(17).
              doi: 10.3390/ani13172741pubmed: 37685005google scholar: lookup
            2. Elghryani N, McOwan T, Mincher C, Duggan V, de Waal T. Estimating the Prevalence and Factors Affecting the Shedding of Helminth Eggs in Irish Equine Populations. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 7;13(4).
              doi: 10.3390/ani13040581pubmed: 36830368google scholar: lookup
            3. Cotuțiu VD, Ionică AM, Lefkaditis M, Cazan CD, Hașaș AD, Mihalca AD. Thelazia lacrymalis in horses from Romania: epidemiology, morphology and phylogenetic analysis. Parasit Vectors 2022 Nov 14;15(1):425.
              doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05532-zpubmed: 36376981google scholar: lookup
            4. El-Gameel SM, Al-Mokaddem AK, Salaeh NMK, Attia MM. Morphomolecular characterization of Strongylus vulgaris isolated from donkeys with special references to histopathological study on the affected organs. J Parasit Dis 2022 Sep;46(3):795-803.
              doi: 10.1007/s12639-022-01498-ypubmed: 36091280google scholar: lookup
            5. Scala A, Tamponi C, Sanna G, Predieri G, Dessì G, Sedda G, Buono F, Cappai MG, Veneziano V, Varcasia A. Gastrointestinal Strongyles Egg Excretion in Relation to Age, Gender, and Management of Horses in Italy. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 3;10(12).
              doi: 10.3390/ani10122283pubmed: 33287298google scholar: lookup
            6. Barlaam A, Traversa D, Papini R, Giangaspero A. Habronematidosis in Equids: Current Status, Advances, Future Challenges. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:358.
              doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00358pubmed: 32719812google scholar: lookup
            7. Attia MM, Khalifa MM, Mahdy OA. The prevalence of Gasterophilus intestinalis (Diptera: Oestridae) in donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt with special reference to larvicidal effects of neem seed oil extract (Azadirachta indica) on third stage larvae. Open Vet J 2018;8(4):423-431.
              doi: 10.4314/ovj.v8i4.12pubmed: 30538934google scholar: lookup
            8. Attia MM, Khalifa MM, Atwa MT. The prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt. Vet World 2018 Sep;11(9):1298-1306.
              doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.1298-1306pubmed: 30410237google scholar: lookup
            9. Hoseini SM, Zaheri BA, Adibi MA, Ronaghi H, Moshrefi AH. Histopathological Study of Esophageal Infection with Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera: Oestridae) in Persian Onager (Equus hemionus onager). J Arthropod Borne Dis 2017 Sep;11(3):441-445.
              pubmed: 29322061
            10. Morsy K, Bashtar AR, Al Quraishy S, Adel S. Description of two equine nematodes, Parascaris equorum Goeze 1782 and Habronema microstoma Schneider 1866 from the domestic horse Equus ferus caballus (Famisly: Equidae) in Egypt. Parasitol Res 2016 Nov;115(11):4299-4306.
              doi: 10.1007/s00436-016-5212-1pubmed: 27539725google scholar: lookup
            11. Nielsen MK, Scare J, Gravatte HS, Bellaw JL, Prado JC, Reinemeyer CR. Changes in Serum Strongylus Vulgaris-Specific Antibody Concentrations in Response to Anthelmintic Treatment of Experimentally Infected Foals. Front Vet Sci 2015;2:17.
              doi: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00017pubmed: 26664946google scholar: lookup
            12. Pilo C, Altea A, Scala A. Gasterophilosis in horses in Sardinia (Italy): effect of meteorological variables on adult egg-laying activity and presence of larvae in the digestive tract, and update of species. Parasitol Res 2015 May;114(5):1693-702.
              doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4352-zpubmed: 25663068google scholar: lookup
            13. Nielsen MK, Vidyashankar AN, Bellaw J, Gravatte HS, Cao X, Rubinson EF, Reinemeyer CR. Serum Strongylus vulgaris-specific antibody responses to anthelmintic treatment in naturally infected horses. Parasitol Res 2015 Feb;114(2):445-51.
              doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-4201-5pubmed: 25358238google scholar: lookup
            14. Andersen UV, Howe DK, Dangoudoubiyam S, Toft N, Reinemeyer CR, Lyons ET, Olsen SN, Monrad J, Nejsum P, Nielsen MK. SvSXP: a Strongylus vulgaris antigen with potential for prepatent diagnosis. Parasit Vectors 2013 Apr 4;6:84.
              doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-84pubmed: 23557195google scholar: lookup
            15. Rehbein S, Visser M, Winter R. Prevalence, intensity and seasonality of gastrointestinal parasites in abattoir horses in Germany. Parasitol Res 2013 Jan;112(1):407-13.
              doi: 10.1007/s00436-012-3150-0pubmed: 23052780google scholar: lookup
            16. Nielsen MK. Restrictions of anthelmintic usage: perspectives and potential consequences. Parasit Vectors 2009 Sep 25;2 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S7.
              doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-2-S2-S7pubmed: 19778468google scholar: lookup
            17. Naem S. The comparative morphology of three equine habronematid nematodes: SEM observations. Parasitol Res 2007 Oct;101(5):1303-10.
              doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0637-1pubmed: 17610080google scholar: lookup
            18. Naem S. First description of the horse stomach worm, Habronema muscae (Spirurida: Habronematidae) by scanning electron microscopy. Parasitol Res 2007 Jul;101(2):427-32.
              doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0492-0pubmed: 17318578google scholar: lookup
            19. Domshy KA, Whitehead AE, Poissant J, Goldsmith DA, Legge C, Knight CG, Zachar EK, Loch SS, Davies JL. A retrospective study of the prevalence in equine postmortems of cranial mesenteric arteritis caused by Strongylus vulgaris in Alberta (2010 to 2022). Can Vet J 2024 Jun;65(6):587-593.
              pubmed: 38827589
            Subscribe to our newsletter
            Join 99,359 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.