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Veterinary world2024; 17(11); 2460-2468; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.2460-2468

Prevalence of gastrointestinal and blood parasites in horses of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand.

Abstract: The global prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) and blood parasite infections in horses is a significant concern due to their substantial impact on morbidity, mortality, and economic losses in the horse industry. In Thailand, limited research has been conducted on these parasites in horse populations, and data from southern Thailand are lacking. Consequently, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of GI and blood parasites in horses in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. Unassigned: In total, 79 fecal and blood samples were collected from horses across 11 farms in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The fecal examination was conducted using simple flotation, formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation, and a modified McMaster technique. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify blood and strongyle parasites. The influence of sex, age, and body condition score on the prevalence of GI parasites was also analyzed. Unassigned: Six GI parasites were detected: four nematodes (, , strongyles, and ), one trematode (), and one protozoan (). The overall prevalence of GI parasites was 74.7%, with single strongyle infections accounting for the highest proportion at 50.6%, followed by co-infections of strongyles and at 10.1%. All 11 pooled strongyle samples were positive for cyathostomins and using conventional PCR with specific primers. Sex was significantly associated with the overall prevalence of GI parasites, whereas both sex and age were significant risk factors for infection by strongyle parasites. was the only blood parasite species detected in the surveyed horses, with a prevalence of 1.3% (n = 1/79). Unassigned: This study is the first to estimate the prevalence of GI and blood parasites in horses from Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. These findings highlight the importance of implementing control measures against GI parasites and are pivotal for developing effective infection prevention strategies.
Copyright: © Phetkarl, et al.
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Publication Date: 2024-11-05 PubMed ID: 39829659PubMed Central: PMC11736380DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.2460-2468Google 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.

This research aims to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal and blood parasites in horses in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. The researchers discovered the highest prevalence of parasites was made up primarily of strongyle infections, with the effect of sex and age also considered as influencing factors.

Methodology

  • The study was conducted on 79 horses from 11 farms in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province of Thailand.
  • Fecal and blood samples were collected from horses across these farms for examination.
  • The fecal examination was conducted using three techniques: simple flotation, formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation, and a modified McMaster technique.
  • The researchers used a Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify blood and strongyle parasites.

Findings

  • The study identified six gastrointestinal (GI) parasites: four nematodes, one trematode, and one protozoan parasite.
  • The overall prevalence of these GI parasites was 74.7%, with strongyle infections making up the largest portion at 50.6%.
  • Sex was found to have a significant association with the overall prevalence of GI parasites, being higher in males.
  • The research also found that both age and sex were risk factors for infection by strongyle parasites.
  • Among blood parasites, Ehrlichia spp was the only one detected in the study, with a prevalence of a very low 1.3% (n = 1/79).

Implications

  • This study is significant as it is the first to estimate the prevalence of both GI and blood parasites in horses from the Nakhon Si Thammarat province in Thailand.
  • The prevalence of GI parasites, notably strongyle infections, was notably high, suggesting the need for effective control measures against these infections.
  • The statistically significant correlation between sex and prevalence of GI parasites as well as the correlation between age and prevalence of strongylid infection identifies these demographics as areas requiring targeted control measures.
  • The findings of this study are important for informing effective prevention strategies against GI and blood parasites, reducing their impact on the health and well-being of horses and decreasing subsequent economic losses.

Cite This Article

APA
Phetkarl T, Fungwithaya P, Lewchalermvong K, Sontigun N. (2024). Prevalence of gastrointestinal and blood parasites in horses of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. Vet World, 17(11), 2460-2468. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2024.2460-2468

Publication

Veterinary world
ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 11
Pages: 2460-2468

Researcher Affiliations

Phetkarl, Tanakorn
  • Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
  • One Health Research Center, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
Fungwithaya, Punpichaya
  • Office of Administrative Interdisciplinary Program on Agricultural Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand.
Lewchalermvong, Kittima
  • Office of Administrative Interdisciplinary Program on Agricultural Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand.
Sontigun, Narin
  • Office of Administrative Interdisciplinary Program on Agricultural Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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