Prevalence of Anoplocephala perfoliata and lesions of Draschia megastoma in Thoroughbreds in Kentucky at necropsy.

The research article discusses a study carried out on Thoroughbreds in Kentucky, in which the prevalence of parasite Anoplocephala perfoliata and the gastric lesions caused by Draschia megastoma was examined post-mortem. It was found that 53% of Thoroughbreds had A. perfoliata, and 63% of the horses had D. megastoma lesions, which were predominantly located in the glandular region of the stomach.

Subject and Methods of Research

• This study was conducted in Kentucky and involved 396 Thoroughbreds ranging from 1 to 30 years of age.
• The research took place over the course of a year, from March 1, 1982, to February 28, 1983.
• The locus of the study was to inspect the Thoroughbreds for the presence of the Anoplocephala perfoliata parasite in the cecum and to check for lesions caused by Draschia megastoma in their stomachs.

Findings of the research

• After the examination, it was found that around 53% of the inspected horses had A. perfoliata parasite, while 63% had D. megastoma lesions in their stomachs.
• All the observed D. megastoma lesions were found either partially or entirely in the glandular region of the stomach.
• The midpoint of these lesions had varying distances from the margo plicatus, ranging from 0 to 290 mm. About 88% of the lesions’ centers were found within 50 mm of the margo plicatus.
• When these lesions’ size was estimated, excluding the masses, it was noted that around 95% of them had a diameter less than or equal to 50 mm.

Observations based on Age

• The examination yielded noteworthy observations based on age. Younger horses, aged between 1 and 7 years, had a higher infection rate of D. megastoma lesions(81%) compared to older horses, aged between 8 and 30 years old, where the infection rate was 41%.
• There were, however, some exceptions to this trend.