Prevalence and abundance of equine strongyles (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) in tropical Australia.

The study examined the prevalence and abundance of equine strongyle species in horses from Northern Queensland, Australia. It found that 89% of the horses were infected, with different varieties of strongyles, some of which are being reported in Australia for the first time.

Research Methodology

• The research employed a post-mortem survey involving 57 horses from tropical northern Queensland.
• The goal of the study was to assess the prevalence and abundance of different species of intestinal strongyles in the horses.
• The guts of the horses were examined to identify the species and quantity of the strongyles.

Key Findings

• Out of the 57 horses, 41 (89%) were found to be infected with intestinal strongyles.
• The researchers identified 35 strongyle species within the infected horses. These included 8 large strongyles and 27 small strongyles (Cyathostominae).
• Nine of the identified species are being reported from Australia for the first time.
• The most prevalent small strongyles were Cyathostomum catinatum (in 76% of horses), Cyathostomum coronatum (65%), Cyathostomum pateratum (33%), and Cyathostomum labiatum (30%).
• The most common large strongyles were Triodontophorus serratus (30%), Strongylus vulgaris (28%), Strongylus equinus, and Strongylus edentatus (both 22%).
• The number of species of small strongyles per horse varied greatly (from 2 to 21) but bore no relationship with horse particulars like age, sex, breed, or season.
• The total count of strongyles per horse (ranging from 20 to 165,000) was generally less than what has been recorded in recent surveys in Europe and the US.
• Most horses had low worm burdens, while a small few were heavily infected. Small strongyles constituted 97% of the total strongyle count, with Strongylus species contributing just over 1%.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that a high prevalence of strongyle infection is present in northern Queensland’s horse population, with a vast majority of the worms being small strongyles. This provides invaluable data for better understanding the geographical distribution and prevalence of these parasitic infections in the area.