Prevalence of Eimeria leuckarti (Flesch, 1883) and intensity of faecal oocyst output in a herd of horses during a summer grazing season.

The study aims to determine the prevalence of infection and intensity of Eimeria leuckarti in a group of mares and their foals during the summer grazing season in northwest Germany.

Research Context

• The study focuses on Eimeria leuckarti, a type of protozoan parasite that infects equines, particularly horses. The research was conducted during the summer grazing season from May to September.
• The study was conducted in northwest Germany and used a sedimentation technique to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection among a herd of 14 mares and their foals.

Observations and Findings

• The researchers found that none of the adult mares, but all of their foals, shed oocysts – the spore-like stage in the life cycle of certain parasites – at least once during the study period.
• The period during which these parasites were evident in the foals, known as the patent period, lasted up to 16 weeks.
• The study found that the mean intensity of oocyst output ranged from 0.1 to 33 oocysts per gram (o.p.g.), signifying a very low intensity of output.
• Interestingly, there were no observable clinical signs of gastrointestinal disorder in any of the foals throughout the course of the study, despite the presence of the Eimeria leuckarti parasite.

Research Importance and Implications

• This study provides important information about the behaviour of Eimeria leuckarti in young equines during their summer grazing season, as well as its transmission between adult mares and their offspring.
• It highlights the need for awareness and further research into equine Eimeria infections, particularly as the infection rate among foals can be 100%, as seen in this study.
• Despite the lack of visible symptoms, the presence of this parasite could potentially have long-term impacts on the health of the foals, which warrants further investigation.