Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in working horses.

The researchers were investigating the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in working horses in the northwestern region of Iran. They found that a majority of sampled horses (79.2%) tested positive for parasite eggs or oocyst, and the most common parasite identified was the small strongyle.

Study Design and Methodology

• The study examined 221 working horses in 14 villages in Urmia, a city located in the northwestern sector of Iran.
• Sample collection took place from September 2002 to May 2003. The samples collected were fecal samples which were used for the detection of gastrointestinal parasites.

Results of the Study

• Out of the total samples collected, 46 horses (20.8%) tested negative for parasite eggs or oocysts.
• Of the horses tested, 175 (79.1%) were positively identified as hosting a single variety of parasite.
• Multiple infections were found in 49 horses (22.2%) where two different parasites were present and 18 horses (8.1%) were identified having three different parasites.
• The highest prevalence and intensity rates belonged to small strongyles.

Parasites and their Prevalence

• The overall prevalence rates for parasitic infections among positive horses were: strongyles at 72.9%, oxyuris equi at 22.6%, parascaris equorum at 12.2%, anoplocephalidae at 6.3%, fasciola species at 3.2% and eimeria leuckarti at 0.5%.
• Larval identification demonstrated that small strongyle larvae were the most prevalent (97.6%), followed by Strongylus edentatus (22.6%), S. equinus (18.5%), and S. vulgaris (6.5%).

Implications of the Study

• The findings of this study suggest a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the working horses in the region.
• The authors suggest that this high rate of infection could be adversely affecting the performance and life expectancy of working horses in the region.