Onchocerca Cervicalis: A Survey into Awareness and Knowledge of The Parasite Amongst UK Equine Veterinarians.

Onchocerca Cervicalis is a common parasitic nematode causing the skin condition known as onchocerciasis in horses. This research paper reports on a survey conducted among UK equine veterinarians about their knowledge and awareness of this parasite and highlights a need to raise more awareness about this condition for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Objective of Study

• The aim of the survey conducted among UK equine veterinarians was to identify the levels of awareness and understanding of the O. cervicalis nematode and figure out the approximate numbers of horses affected by dermatoses (skin diseases), with special attention to insect bite hypersensitivity that does not respond to standard treatments.

Methodology

• Between December 2019 and February 2020, an online survey was distributed amongst UK equine veterinarians. The survey collected responses from 88 veterinarians, focusing on their knowledge and understanding of O. cervicalis.

Findings

• Results indicated that 78% of the surveyed veterinarians were aware of the O. cervicalis nematode. However, only 51% of those were able to answer more than half of the questions about the nematode’s lifecycle correctly.
• Survey results also revealed that about one in four (25%) cases of insect bite hypersensitivity seen by the respondents did not respond to standard treatments, indicating a possible issue with diagnosis or treatment strategies.
• Significantly, 84% of the respondents had not considered onchocerciasis as a potential diagnosis in cases of unresolved dermatoses, revealing a gap in awareness or knowledge about this specific condition.

Conclusion

• These findings suggest a gap in the knowledge of UK equine veterinarians regarding O.cervicalis and the condition it causes, onchocerciasis. The authors of this research underline the importance of raising awareness about this parasite as a differential diagnosis especially when investigating equine skin diseases that do not respond to standard treatments.