Parasite infections and their risk factors in foals and young horses in Finland.
Abstract: One-hundred-and-thirty-nine fecal samples were examined to assess the prevalence of Parascaris spp. and strongyle infections in two-year-old or younger horses in Finland. The owners of the horses were asked to answer an online questionnaire about the horses' environment and the management practices of the stable. The results of fecal examination and the survey were analyzed to evaluate the effect of different risk factors as ascertained by the survey on parasite prevalence. The prevalence of Parascaris spp. infections at 11.5% was lower than expected based on previous research and the strongyle prevalence of 57.6% was found in young Finnish horses. Strongyloides westeri and Eimeria leuckarti infections were also found. Pasture hygiene had a stronger influence on the prevalence of strongyle infections than on Parascaris spp. infections, whereas the hygiene routine of the horses' housing was found to be more important in the prevention of Parascaris spp. infections. The planning of the control of parasitic infections should be based on the identified risk factors.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-01-12 PubMed ID: 31014805DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.01.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research observed parasite infections in young Finnish horses and assessed how different risk factors, such as living conditions and pasture hygiene, influence the prevalence of certain parasites. A survey about horse care and management practices was also conducted to help identify these risk factors.
Study Methodology
- A total of 139 fecal samples were examined from horses aged two years or younger.
- The examinations were done specifically for the infections involving Parascaris spp. and strongyle parasites.
- In addition to these examinations, the horse owners were made to answer an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was focused on understanding the environment of the horses and the stable management practices.
- The data gathered from the fecal examinations and the survey were collectively analyzed to understand the effect of different risk factors on the prevalence of these parasites.
Key Findings
- It was found that the prevalence of Parascaris spp. infections was lower than what had been previously reported in other research. It was observed to be at 11.5% in this particular study.
- The prevalence of strongyle infections was fond to be notably high, with more than half (57.6%) of the young Finnish horses affected.
- Infections of Strongyloides westeri and Eimeria leuckarti were also detected in the horses.
Impact of Risk Factors
- The hygiene of the pasture where the horses graced had a stronger impact on the prevalence of strongyle infections than on the Parascaris spp. infections.
- Contrastingly, the cleanliness and hygiene routine in the horses’ housing had a more significant impact on the prevention of Parascaris spp. infections.
Implications for Parasite Control
- The study suggests that the planning and control measures for parasitic infections in horses should consider the risk factors identified.
- Key factors include pasture cleanliness and the hygiene within the horses’ housing arrangements.
Cite This Article
APA
Aromaa M, Hautala K, Oksanen A, Sukura A, Näreaho A.
(2018).
Parasite infections and their risk factors in foals and young horses in Finland.
Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 12, 35-38.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.01.006 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FINPAR), P.O. Box 66, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland. Electronic address: maria.aromaa@fimnet.fi.
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FINPAR), P.O. Box 66, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland.
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Production Animal and Wildlife Health Research Unit (FINPAR), Elektroniikkatie 3, Oulu FI-90590, Finland.
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FINPAR), P.O. Box 66, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland.
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FINPAR), P.O. Box 66, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Ascaridida Infections / epidemiology
- Ascaridida Infections / veterinary
- Coccidiosis / epidemiology
- Coccidiosis / veterinary
- Eimeria
- Feces / parasitology
- Finland / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses / parasitology
- Housing, Animal
- Male
- Parasite Egg Count
- Parasitic Diseases, Animal / epidemiology
- Risk Factors
- Strongyloides
- Strongyloidiasis / epidemiology
- Strongyloidiasis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Cabaret J. Independent Development of Resistance to Main Classes of Anthelmintics by Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Ruminants and Horses. Pathogens 2025 Sep 5;14(9).
- Scala A, Tamponi C, Sanna G, Predieri G, Meloni L, Knoll S, Sedda G, Dessì G, Cappai MG, Varcasia A. Parascaris spp. eggs in horses of Italy: a large-scale epidemiological analysis of the egg excretion and conditioning factors. Parasit Vectors 2021 May 8;14(1):246.
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