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The veterinary quarterly1998; 20(1); 31-34; doi: 10.1080/01652176.1998.9694833

Parasites of stomach and small intestine of 70 horses slaughtered in The Netherlands.

Abstract: The prevalence of metazoan parasites in the stomach and small intestine was investigated in 70 horses slaughtered in the period February 1994-July 1994. Most horses were young (1.5-3 years) and in good condition. Trichostrongylus axei was the most prevalent parasite species in the stomach (51.4%), followed by Gasterophilus intestinalis (41.4%) and Habronema spp. (4.3%). In the small intestine, Parascaris equorum (28.6%) and Paranoplocephala mamillana (1.4%) were found. The mean worm burden of T. axei was 957 (max. 8502), of G. intestinalis 21 (max. 84), of Habronema spp. 3 (max. 5), and of P. equorum 32 (max. 308). One single specimen of P. mamillana was seen. All bots of G. intestinalis were in the third instar stage. No seasonal pattern and no influence of the parasites on the condition of the horses could be observed.
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Publication Date: 1998-02-27 PubMed ID: 9477534DOI: 10.1080/01652176.1998.9694833Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research paper investigates the prevalence of metazoan parasites in the stomach and small intestine of 70 horses slaughtered in The Netherlands between February and July 1994.

Research Study and Methodology

  • The paper details a study conducted on 70 horses that were slaughtered in The Netherlands within a five-month window in 1994. These horses were mostly young, between 1.5 to 3 years old, and were in good health condition.
  • The main aim of the study was to understand the prevalence of metazoan parasites in the stomach and small intestine of these horses.

Findings of the Study

  • The investigation found Trichostrongylus axei to be the most prevalent parasite species in the horse’s stomach, with a prevalence rate of 51.4%. This was followed by Gasterophilus intestinalis (41.4%) and Habronema spp. (4.3%).
  • In the small intestine, Parascaris equorum (28.6%) and Paranoplocephala mamillana (1.4%) were found.
  • Larger quantities of T. axei were observed, with an average worm burden of 957 and a maximum of 8502 detected.
  • The average worm burden for G. intestinalis was 21 (maximum 84), for Habronema spp. it was only 3 (maximum 5), and for P. equorum it was 32 (maximum 308).
  • Only a single specimen of P. mamillana was identified.
  • All specimens of G. intestinalis were at the third instar stage, an intermediate stage in the life cycle of an insect. In the case of G. intestinalis, this refers to their larval stage within the horse host.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The study did not identify a specific seasonal pattern in the prevalence of these parasites. This indicates that the parasite infestation could be prevalent throughout the year, irrespective of the season.
  • The condition or health of the horses did not seem to be influenced by the presence of these parasites. This implies that the studied horses had a natural tolerance to these parasites, and their health was not significantly compromised due to the parasite infestation.

Cite This Article

APA
Borgsteede FH, van Beek G. (1998). Parasites of stomach and small intestine of 70 horses slaughtered in The Netherlands. Vet Q, 20(1), 31-34. https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.1998.9694833

Publication

The veterinary quarterly
ISSN: 0165-2176
NlmUniqueID: 7909485
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Pages: 31-34

Researcher Affiliations

Borgsteede, F H
  • DLO-Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-DLO), Lelystad, The Netherlands. F.H.M.Borgsteede@ID.DLO.NL
van Beek, G

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Diptera
    • Female
    • Horses / parasitology
    • Intestine, Small / parasitology
    • Male
    • Netherlands / epidemiology
    • Spiruroidea / isolation & purification
    • Stomach / parasitology
    • Trichostrongylosis / epidemiology
    • Trichostrongylosis / veterinary
    • Trichostrongylus / isolation & purification

    Citations

    This article has been cited 9 times.
    1. Nielsen MK. Apparent treatment failure of praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate against anoplocephalid tapeworms. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023 Aug;22:96-101.
      doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.06.002pubmed: 37354849google scholar: lookup
    2. 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
    3. 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
    4. 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
    5. 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
    6. Naem S. First SEM observations on adult Habronema microstoma (Spirurida: Habronematidae), a parasite of the horse. Parasitol Res 2007 Aug;101(3):743-9.
      doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0544-5pubmed: 17487511google scholar: lookup
    7. Naem S. Equine stomach worm, Drashia megastoma (Spirurida: Habronematidae): first SEM report. Parasitol Res 2007 Sep;101(4):913-8.
      doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0558-zpubmed: 17487510google scholar: lookup
    8. Rabei ȘO, Cârstolovean AS, Culda CA, Mihalca AD. Gasterophilus in horses from Romania: diversity, prevalence, seasonal dynamics, and distribution. Parasitol Res 2024 Dec 23;123(12):416.
      doi: 10.1007/s00436-024-08419-3pubmed: 39710758google scholar: lookup
    9. Burcáková L, Königová A, Kuzmina TA, Austin CJ, Matthews JB, Lightbody KL, Peczak NA, Syrota Y, Várady M. Equine tapeworm (Anoplocephala spp.) infection: evaluation of saliva- and serum-based antibody detection methods and risk factor analysis in Slovak horse populations. Parasitol Res 2023 Dec;122(12):3037-3052.
      doi: 10.1007/s00436-023-07994-1pubmed: 37803152google scholar: lookup
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