Prevalence, intensity and risk factors of infestation with major gastrointestinal nematodes in equines in and around Shashemane, Southern Ethiopia.
Abstract: Prevalence, intensity and risk factors of major gastrointestinal nematode infestation in equines were studied through a cross-sectional survey in 384 equids from October 2013 to April 2014 in and around Shashemane, southern Ethiopia. Three hundred and fifteen equids (82 %) were demonstrated harbouring one or more gastrointestinal (GIT) nematodes using the faecal flotation technique. The prevalence of GIT nematode infestation was 73.4, 85 and 86.5 % for horses, mules and donkeys, respectively. The identified nematodes were strongyle type (73.4 %), Parascaris equorum (21.4 %) and Oxyuris equi (4.4 %). Species of equines had a significant (χ (2) = 9.35, P < 0.01) association with the occurrence of GIT nematode infestation. Donkeys were two times (OR = 2.3, 95 % CI 1.27-4.28, P < 0.01) more likely getting GIT nematode infestation than horses. Moreover, donkeys had the highest mean faecal egg counts (1831.2 egg per gram (EPG)) followed by mules (915.7 EPG) and horses (772.5 EPG). There was a significant association (P < 0.05) between mean EPG and body condition score in each equine species. In conclusion, this study provides information which might help in designing upcoming control strategies to control nematode infestation in equines. Moreover, suitable tropical climatic conditions, low level of management and owners' awareness, and poor animal health services are expected to contribute for high nematode infestation. Therefore, emphasis should be given to awareness creation about the strategic deworming, animal welfare and management.
Publication Date: 2015-07-24 PubMed ID: 26205906DOI: 10.1007/s11250-015-0893-5Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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 article explores the occurrence, severity, and risk factors associated with major gastrointestinal nematode infestations in equines (horses, mules, and donkeys) in the Shashemane region of southern Ethiopia.
Study Summary
- The study evaluated the infestation of gastrointestinal (GIT) nematodes in horses, mules, and donkeys within Shashemane, Ethiopia, from October 2013 to April 2014. 82% of the 384 equids surveyed harbored at least one type of GIT nematode.
- The prevalence of GIT nematode infestation varied among the species: 73.4% in horses, 85% in mules, and 86.5% in donkeys.
- The three nematodes identified were the strongyle type (73.4%), Parascaris equorum (21.4%), and Oxyuris equi (4.4%).
Associations and Risk Factors
- This research found significant associations between equine species and the prevalence of GIT nematode infestation, with donkeys two times more likely to become infested than horses.
- Furthermore, donkeys were also found to have the highest mean faecal egg counts (a measure of infestation intensity), followed by mules and then horses. There was a significant correlation between mean egg counts and body condition scores in each equine species.
- The study suggests that certain environmental conditions, such as the region’s tropical climate, in addition to low management levels and poor animal health services, likely contribute to the high prevalence of nematode infestations.
Implications and Recommendations
- The findings of this study can aid future efforts to control nematode infestation in equines, specifically by designing control strategies that take into account the identified risk factors and prevalence patterns.
- Given the contribution of management practices and infrastructure to the prevalence of infestations, the authors recommend building awareness of deworming strategies among equine owners and promoting improvements in animal welfare and management.
Cite This Article
APA
Seyoum Z, Tesfaye M, Derso S.
(2015).
Prevalence, intensity and risk factors of infestation with major gastrointestinal nematodes in equines in and around Shashemane, Southern Ethiopia.
Trop Anim Health Prod, 47(8), 1515-1521.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0893-5 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar, P.O.B: 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. zewdus@yahoo.com.
- Oromia National Regional State Bureau of Agriculture, Oromia, Ethiopia.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar, P.O.B: 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Communicable Diseases
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Equidae
- Ethiopia / epidemiology
- Feces / parasitology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
- Male
- Nematoda / isolation & purification
- Nematode Infections / epidemiology
- Nematode Infections / parasitology
- Nematode Infections / veterinary
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
- Parasite Load
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Strongyle Infections, Equine / epidemiology
References
This article includes 12 references
- Burden FA, Du Toit N, Hernandez-Gil M, Prado-Ortiz O, Trawford AF. Selected health and management issues facing working donkeys presented for veterinary treatment in rural Mexico: some possible risk factors and potential intervention strategies.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2010 Apr;42(4):597-605.
- Al Anazi AD, Alyousif MS. Prevalence of non-strongyle gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia.. Saudi J Biol Sci 2011 Jul;18(3):299-303.
- Valdéz-Cruz MP, Hernández-Gil M, Galindo-Rodríguez L, Alonso-Díaz MA. Gastrointestinal nematode burden in working equids from humid tropical areas of central Veracruz, Mexico, and its relationship with body condition and haematological values.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2013 Feb;45(2):603-7.
- Sheferaw D, Alemu M. Epidemiological study of gastrointestinal helminths of equines in Damot-Gale district, Wolaita zone, Ethiopia.. J Parasit Dis 2015 Jun;39(2):315-20.
- Reinemeyer CR, Nielsen MK. Parasitism and colic.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2009 Aug;25(2):233-45.
- Getachew M, Feseha G, Trawford A, Reid SW. A survey of seasonal patterns in strongyle faecal worm egg counts of working equids of the central midlands and lowlands, Ethiopia.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2008 Dec;40(8):637-42.
- Upjohn MM, Shipton K, Lerotholi T, Attwood G, Verheyen KL. Coprological prevalence and intensity of helminth infection in working horses in Lesotho.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2010 Dec;42(8):1655-61.
- Nielsen MK, Kaplan RM, Thamsborg SM, Monrad J, Olsen SN. Climatic influences on development and survival of free-living stages of equine strongyles: implications for worm control strategies and managing anthelmintic resistance.. Vet J 2007 Jul;174(1):23-32.
- Getachew M, Trawford A, Feseha G, Reid SW. Gastrointestinal parasites of working donkeys of Ethiopia.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2010 Jan;42(1):27-33.
- Kumsa B, Tamrat H, Tadesse G, Aklilu N, Cassini R. Prevalence and species composition of ixodid ticks infesting horses in three agroecologies in central Oromia, Ethiopia.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2012 Jan;44(1):119-24.
- Flanagan KL, Morton JM, Sandeman RM. Prevalence of infestation with gastrointestinal nematodes in Pony Club horses in Victoria.. Aust Vet J 2013 Jun;91(6):241-5.
- Stringer A, Lunn DP, Reid S. Science in brief: Report on the first Havemeyer workshop on infectious diseases in working equids, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 2013.. Equine Vet J 2015 Jan;47(1):6-9.
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Mesafint E, Dejene H, Maru M, Tarekegn ZS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of parasitic infections in equids in Ethiopia.. J Parasit Dis 2023 Sep;47(3):451-464.
- Fesseha H, Aliye S, Mathewos M, Nigusie K. Prevalence and risk factors associated with donkey gastrointestinal parasites in Shashemane and Suburbs, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.. Heliyon 2022 Dec;8(12):e12244.
- Mathewos M, Girma D, Fesseha H, Yirgalem M, Eshetu E. Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthiasis in Horses and Donkeys of Hawassa District, Southern Ethiopia.. Vet Med Int 2021;2021:6686688.
- Tombak KJ, Budischak SA, Hauck S, Martinez LA, Rubenstein DI. The non-invasive measurement of faecal immunoglobulin in African equids.. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020 Aug;12:105-112.
- Hernández JÁ, Sánchez-Andrade R, Cazapal-Monteiro CF, Arroyo FL, Sanchís JM, Paz-Silva A, Arias MS. A combined effort to avoid strongyle infection in horses in an oceanic climate region: rotational grazing and parasiticidal fungi.. Parasit Vectors 2018 Apr 12;11(1):240.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
