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Home / Equine Research Bank / Trop Anim Health Prod / Onchocerca cervicalis in horses from southern Brazil.
Tropical animal health and production2004; 36(7); 633-636; doi: 10.1023/b:trop.0000042863.83233.78

Onchocerca cervicalis in horses from southern Brazil.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Onchocerca cervicalis in 1200 adult horses from rural areas of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Umbilical skin specimens measuring 2 x 2 cm were minced, suspended in 10 ml of distilled water and incubated at room temperature overnight. The liquid volume was centrifuged and the sediment was screened for microfilariae. The ligamentum nuchae were totally removed, preserved in ice and dissected for the detection of adult forms of Onchocerca cervicalis. Microfilariae of Onchocerca cervicalis were detected in midventral skin biopsy samples in 215 (17.9%) of 1200 horses examined and the adult worms were recovered from 200 (16.6%) ligamentum nuchae from the same animals. These findings provide a basis for further studies to determine infection rates in horses from other regions of the state and to identify the intermediate host that transmits the disease.
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Publication Date: 2004-11-26 PubMed ID: 15563023DOI: 10.1023/b:trop.0000042863.83233.78Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

This research investigates the prevalence of the parasite Onchocerca cervicalis in adult horses in the rural regions of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It indicates that around 18% of the examined horses were found to possess this parasite.

Methods of the Study

  • 1200 adult horses from rural areas of the Rio Grande do Sul region in Brazil were selected for the study.
  • Skin specimens sized 2 x 2 cm were taken from each horse’s umbilical region. These samples were cut into small pieces.
  • The minced samples were immersed in 10 ml of distilled water and left overnight at room temperature for incubation.
  • The next day, the liquid was centrifuged, a process that separates the sediment from the liquid. The sediment was then examined for the presence of microfilariae, which are the juvenile stage of the worm Onchocerca cervicalis.
  • The researchers also conducted another procedure on the ligamentum nuchae, a ligamentous cord starting at the back of the skull and ending at the base of the neck. This ligament was entirely removed from the horse, preserved in ice, and then dissected to look for adult forms of Onchocerca cervicalis.

Findings of the Study

  • From the 1200 horses studied, 215 of them (17.9%) had microfilariae of Onchocerca cervicalis, as found in the midventral skin biopsy samples.
  • Adult worms of Onchocerca cervicalis were found in the ligamentum nuchae of 200 horses, accounting for 16.6% of the total sample size.

Significance of the Study

  • This study signifies that Onchocerca cervicalis is present among a considerable percentage of adult horses in the examined rural regions of Brazil.
  • The findings from this research serve as a foundation for future studies to explore the infection rates in horses across different regional areas within the state.
  • Moreover, it aids in identifying the intermediate host that transmits this disease among horses, which is crucial for devising effective measures for preventing the spread of this parasite among horse populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Marques SM, Scroferneker ML. (2004). Onchocerca cervicalis in horses from southern Brazil. Trop Anim Health Prod, 36(7), 633-636. https://doi.org/10.1023/b:trop.0000042863.83233.78

Publication

Tropical animal health and production
ISSN: 0049-4747
NlmUniqueID: 1277355
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 7
Pages: 633-636

Researcher Affiliations

Marques, S M T
  • Department of Research and Development, Escola Agrotécnica Federal de Concórdia, EAFC, Rua João Mosele, 58, Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil. sandra.marques@concordia.psi.br
Scroferneker, M L

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Brazil / epidemiology
    • Female
    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / parasitology
    • Horses
    • Male
    • Microfilariae / isolation & purification
    • Onchocerca / isolation & purification
    • Onchocerciasis / epidemiology
    • Onchocerciasis / parasitology
    • Onchocerciasis / veterinary
    • Prevalence
    • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
    • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
    • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 5 times.
    1. Papini RA, Lubas G, Sgorbini M. Incidental Detection of Onchocerca Microfilariae in Donkeys (Equus asinus) in Italy: Report of Four Cases. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:569916.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.569916pubmed: 33240947google scholar: lookup
    2. Cambra-Pellejà M, Gandasegui J, Balaña-Fouce R, Muñoz J, Martínez-Valladares M. Zoonotic Implications of Onchocerca Species on Human Health. Pathogens 2020 Sep 17;9(9).
      doi: 10.3390/pathogens9090761pubmed: 32957647google scholar: lookup
    3. Yu ZC, Zhang W, Li B, Luo XP, Wang R, Yang XY. A survey of Onchocerca fasciata infection in camels (Camelus bactrianus) with notes on morphology. PLoS One 2019;14(4):e0214477.
      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214477pubmed: 30946756google scholar: lookup
    4. Lia RP, Mutafchiev Y, Veneziano V, Giannelli A, Abramo F, Santoro M, Latrofa MS, Cantacessi C, Martin C, Otranto D, Bertuglia A, Riccio B. Filarial infection caused by Onchocerca boehmi (Supperer, 1953) in a horse from Italy. Parasitol Res 2017 Jan;116(1):191-198.
      doi: 10.1007/s00436-016-5277-xpubmed: 27761717google scholar: lookup
    5. Onmaz AC, Beutel RG, Schneeberg K, Pavaloiu AN, Komarek A, van den Hoven R. Vectors and vector-borne diseases of horses. Vet Res Commun 2013 Mar;37(1):65-81.
      doi: 10.1007/s11259-012-9537-7pubmed: 23054414google scholar: lookup
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