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Veterinary parasitology2011; 181(2-4); 248-254; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.04.002

Prevalence of strongyles and efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin in working horses in El Sauce, Nicaragua.

Abstract: Horses, mules and donkeys are indispensable farming and working animals in many developing countries, and their health status is important to the farmers. Strongyle parasites are ubiquitous in grazing horses world-wide and are known to constitute a threat to equine health. This study determined the prevalence of strongyle infection, the efficacy of ivermectin and fenbendazole treatment, and strongyle re-infection rates of working horses during the dry months in Nicaragua. One hundred and five horses used by farmers for transport of people and goods were randomly allocated into three treatment groups, i.e., the IVM group treated with ivermectin, the FBZ group treated with fenbendazole and the control group treated with placebo. Determined by pre-treatment faecal egg counts (FECs), horses showed a high prevalence (94%) of strongyle parasites with high intensities of infection (mean FEC of 1117 eggs per gram (EPG) with an SD of 860 EPG, n=102). Body condition scores of all horses ranged from 1.5 to 3.5 with a mean of 2.4 (scales 1-5). Fourteen days after treatment faecal egg count reductions (FECRs) were 100% and 94% in the IVM and the FBZ groups, respectively. The egg reappearance period (ERP) defined as the time until the mean FEC reached 20% of the pre-treatment level, was estimated as 42 days for the FBZ group and 60 days for the IVM group. Individual faecal cultures were set up and the larval differentiation revealed a 36% prevalence of Strongylus vulgaris before treatment (n=45). In the FBZ group, 25% of the horses were S. vulgaris-positive 70 days post treatment compared to 11% in the IVM group. Our results indicate that strongyle infection intensities in Nicaragua are high and that S. vulgaris is endemic in the area. Furthermore, efficacies and ERPs of IVM and FBZ were within the expected range with no signs of anthelmintic resistance.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2011-04-12 PubMed ID: 21570188DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.04.002Google 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 examined the prevalence of strongyle parasites in working horses in El Sauce, Nicaragua, and the effectiveness of fenbendazole and ivermectin in treating these infections. It found high rates of infection and identified Strongylus vulgaris as endemic in the area, and the anthelmintic drugs were effective, with no signs of resistance.

Introduction & Methodology

  • The study focuses on understanding the prevalence of strongyle parasites in working horses, mules and donkeys, which are essential to farming and transportation in developing countries. Here, Nicaragua was the focus.
  • The researchers randomly divided 105 horses into three groups – one treated with ivermectin (IVM group), another with fenbendazole (FBZ group), and the last group treated with a placebo (control group).

Findings on Infections

  • Before treatment, researchers undertook a faecal egg count (FEC) analysis, which revealed a very high prevalence (94%) of strongyle infection among the horses.
  • The intensity of these infections was also high, with an average FEC of 1117 eggs per gram.
  • Faecal cultures were set up for individual horses, revealing that 36% of the tested horses were infected with Strongylus vulgaris before the treatment was administered.

Treatment Efficacy and Re-infection Rates

  • 14 days post-treatment, the FECs reduced by 100% in the IVM group and 94% in the FBZ group, demonstrating the effectiveness of both drugs.
  • The study also estimated the egg reappearance period (ERP), the duration until the average FEC reaches 20% of the pre-treatment level. It was found to be 42 days for FBZ-treated horses and 60 days for IVM-treated horses.
  • 70 days after treatment, 25% of the horses in the FBZ group and 11% of horses in the IVM group tested positive for S. vulgaris, indicating reinfection. This reinfection reveals that S. vulgaris is endemic in that Nicaraguan region.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes with the finding that strongyle infection rates in Nicaraguan working horses are high, and S. vulgaris is prevalent in this area. However, the efficacy of IVM and FBZ as treatment measures remains within the expected range, showing no indication of any anthelmintic resistance in the parasites.

Cite This Article

APA
Kyvsgaard NC, Lindbom J, Andreasen LL, Luna-Olivares LA, Nielsen MK, Monrad J. (2011). Prevalence of strongyles and efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin in working horses in El Sauce, Nicaragua. Vet Parasitol, 181(2-4), 248-254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.04.002

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 181
Issue: 2-4
Pages: 248-254

Researcher Affiliations

Kyvsgaard, Niels C
  • Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. nck@life.ku.dk
Lindbom, Jenny
    Andreasen, Line Lundberg
      Luna-Olivares, Luz Adilia
        Nielsen, Martin Krarup
          Monrad, Jesper

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
            • Feces / parasitology
            • Fenbendazole / therapeutic use
            • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / parasitology
            • Horses
            • Ivermectin / therapeutic use
            • Nicaragua / epidemiology
            • Parasite Egg Count
            • Seasons
            • Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
            • Strongyle Infections, Equine / epidemiology
            • Strongyloidea / classification

            Citations

            This article has been cited 3 times.
            1. Nielsen MK. Anthelmintic resistance in equine nematodes: Current status and emerging trends. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022 Dec;20:76-88.
              doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.10.005pubmed: 36342004google scholar: lookup
            2. Živković S, Pavlović I, Mijatović B, Trailović I, Trailović D. Prevalence, Intensity and Risks Involved in Helminth Infections in Domestic Mountain Pony and Balkan Donkey in Nature Park Stara Planina, Serbia. Iran J Parasitol 2021 Apr-Jun;16(2):318-326.
              doi: 10.18502/ijpa.v16i2.6283pubmed: 34557248google scholar: lookup
            3. Misuno E, Clark CR, Anderson SL, Jenkins E, Wagner B, Dembek K, Petrie L. Characteristics of parasitic egg shedding over a 1-year period in foals and their dams in 2 farms in central Saskatchewan. Can Vet J 2018 Mar;59(3):284-292.
              pubmed: 29599559
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