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Iranian journal of parasitology2021; 16(2); 318-326; doi: 10.18502/ijpa.v16i2.6283

Prevalence, Intensity and Risks Involved in Helminth Infections in Domestic Mountain Pony and Balkan Donkey in Nature Park Stara Planina, Serbia.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, intensity and risk factors (age and gender) promoting the intestinal helminthic infections of the Domestic mountain ponies and Balkan donkeys in Serbia. Methods: Prevalence, intensity and risk factors influencing helminth infection in horses (n=39) and donkeys (n=18) at the site of Nature Park Stara Planina, were studied from May to Sep 2015. The presence of one or several gastrointestinal helminth species was confirmed by faecal flotation in 97.43% of horses and 88.88% of donkeys included in the monitoring. The identified helminth species were , , , , and in 84.61%, 46.15%, 5.13%, 58.97%, 94.87% and 38.46% of horses, respectively. The significant association of infection with and sex of horses was established. (χ2=13.33, <0.01). Results: The prevalence of parasitic helminths identified in donkeys was the following: , , , , and in 55.55%, 38.89%, 27.78%, 22.22% and 22.22% of donkeys, respectively. Moreover, the mean faecal egg count was higher in donkeys (369.9 EPG - egg per gram) than in horses (250.2 EPG). The association between the age and the mean EPG was significant (<0.05) in both equine species. Conclusions: The results of the investigation provided basic information that can be helpful for planning strategic control of nematode infection in equine population in Nature Reserves in Serbia.
Copyright © 2021 Živković et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-25 PubMed ID: 34557248PubMed Central: PMC8418645DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v16i2.6283Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The study documents the occurrence, severity and contributing factors, such as age and sex, of intestinal worm infections in the Domestic mountain ponies and Balkan donkeys of Serbia. The research revealed almost all the ponies and over three-quarters of the Balkan donkeys exhibited at least one species of gastrointestinal worms, which could be significant for managing worm infections in horse and donkey populations in Serbian nature reserves.

Research Objective and Methods

  • The aim of the research was to study the occurrence, seriousness, and risk factors promoting intestinal worm infections in Domestic mountain ponies and Balkan donkeys in Serbia’s Nature Park Stara Planina.
  • From May to Sep 2015, the researchers conducted thorough analyses on samples collected from 39 horses and 18 donkeys located in the nature park.
  • They used faecal flotation, a common diagnostic procedure in parasitology, to detect the presence of gastrointestinal helminth species.

Research Findings on Horses

  • Almost all (97.43%) of the surveyed horses had one or more types of helminths.
  • Various helminth species had different prevalence with the highest being 94.87% and the lowest being 5.13%.
  • The research found a significant association between infections from a particular helminth species and the sex of the horses.

Research Findings on Donkeys

  • In the donkeys, 88.88% showed the presence of at least one gastrointestinal helminth species.
  • The incidence rate of different helminth species varied, ranging from 22.22% to 55.55%.
  • The average concentration of worm eggs in the feces (faecal egg count) was higher in donkeys (369.9 EPG) compared to horses (250.2 EPG).
  • There was a significant correlation between the age of the animals and the average EPG in both the horse and donkey species.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The findings of this study provide vital data for devising strategic control of nematode infection in equine populations in Serbian nature reserves.
  • Understanding the high prevalence of intestinal helminths in these animal populations, as well as the influence of certain risk factors such as age and sex, can be used to better manage and prevent the spread of these parasitic infections.

Cite This Article

APA
Živković S, Pavlović I, Mijatović B, Trailović I, Trailović D. (2021). Prevalence, Intensity and Risks Involved in Helminth Infections in Domestic Mountain Pony and Balkan Donkey in Nature Park Stara Planina, Serbia. Iran J Parasitol, 16(2), 318-326. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v16i2.6283

Publication

Iranian journal of parasitology
ISSN: 1735-7020
NlmUniqueID: 101464309
Country: Iran
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Pages: 318-326

Researcher Affiliations

Živković, Slavica
  • Agricultural School PKB, Pančevački Put 39, Krnjača, Belgrade, Serbia.
Pavlović, Ivan
  • Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia Vojvode Toze 14, Belgrade, Serbia.
Mijatović, Bojana
  • Agricultural School PKB, Pančevački Put 39, Krnjača, Belgrade, Serbia.
Trailović, Ivana
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Trailović, Dragiša
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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