Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in horses in the district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Overview

• This study investigated how common gastrointestinal parasites are in horses from the district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, identifying parasite types and risk factors related to infection.
• It found a very high prevalence of parasite infections and highlighted management practices affecting parasite exposure, calling for improved control measures.

Background and Purpose

• Gastrointestinal parasites are a major problem affecting horse health and productivity worldwide, especially in tropical regions where conditions favor parasite survival.
• In Côte d’Ivoire, and particularly in urban and peri-urban areas like Abidjan, there was limited epidemiological data detailing which parasites affect horses and how widespread these infections are.
• The study aimed to fill this gap by determining the prevalence, diversity, and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites among horses in Abidjan.

Methodology

• A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was carried out from September 2024 to February 2025.
• Researchers sampled 277 horses from 19 equine establishments: 8 riding schools and 11 breeding farms, all located within Abidjan.
• Fresh fecal samples were collected from each horse and examined using four coprological diagnostic techniques:
  • Direct microscopic examination
  • Flotation technique
  • Simplified Ritchie concentration method
  • Ziehl-Neelsen staining
• Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and logistic regression to detect significant associations between parasitic infections and potential risk factors, using a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.

Key Findings

• The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection was very high at 88.80%, indicating widespread presence of parasites among horses in the district.
• A total of 15 different parasite species were identified, demonstrating high parasite diversity in the equine population.
• The most common parasites found were:
  • Strongylus spp. (48.37%)
  • Parascaris equorum (40.07%)
  • Cyathostomins (Cyathostominae) (30.68%)
  • Fasciola hepatica (29.24%)
  • Cryptosporidium parvum (28.51%)
• Nematodes were identified as the dominant group of parasites infecting the horses.
• Significant relationships were found between infection rates and management factors, such as:
  • Feeding practices
  • Type of equine activity (riding school vs breeding farm)
• Horses in riding schools were more often infected with certain parasites compared to horses raised in breeding farms, suggesting activity-specific risks.

Implications and Recommendations

• The very high infection rates and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites point to a major health concern for horses in Abidjan and likely similar tropical environments.
• There is a need for integrated parasite control strategies to mitigate these risks, including:
  • Regular parasitological monitoring to promptly detect infections and assess parasite loads.
  • Improved hygiene and better management practices aimed at reducing parasite transmission.
  • Rational and prudent use of anthelmintic drugs to avoid promoting drug resistance.
  • Targeted deworming programs tailored to local parasite species and infection risks.
• Strengthening veterinary surveillance in these equine facilities is crucial to support health management and timely treatment interventions.
• Raising awareness among horse owners and managers about parasite risks and control practices can significantly improve outcomes regarding equine health and productivity.