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Acta veterinaria Scandinavica1991; 32(2); 253-260; doi: 10.1186/BF03546987

Resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics in small strongyles (Cyathostominae) of horses in Denmark.

Abstract: This study was undertaken to establish whether anthelmintic resistance was present in nematode parasites of horses in Denmark. Sixteen horse farms were selected for faecal egg count reduction (FECR) tests to measure the efficacy of the anthelmintic used. Resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics was found on 13 of the 16 farms, with FECR values ranging from 80.0% to -101.3%. On the remaining 3 farms FECR was 100.0%, 99.3% and 97.2%. Results of a questionnaire study on anthelmintic usage, parasite control measures and management practices showed that horses in this study were treated on average 7.1 times/year. Horse owners changed between preparations of drugs but almost only within the same class of anthelmintics. Nine owners gave an anthelmintic treatment to purchased horses before they were introduced on the farm. On 14 farms, the same paddock was grazed every year and the average stocking rate was estimated to be 2.4 horses/ha. Strategies to avoid development of anthelmintic resistance are discussed and recommendations of parasite control on horse farms are presented. Formålet med dette arbejde var at undersøge, om ormemiddelresistens var tilstede hos indvoldsorm i danske heste. Der udvalgtes 16 hestebesætninger, hvor alle anthelmintiske behandlinger var registreret ved præparat og behandlingstidspunkt mindst to år tilbage før undersøgelsestidspunktet. I besætningerne gennemførtes en såkaldt ”faecal egg count reduction” (FECR) test med henblik på at måle effektiviteten af det ormemiddel ejerne havde anvendt gennem de seneste år og endvidere foretoges en spørgeskemaundersøgelse over anvendelse af ormemidler, parasitbekæmpelse samt afgrænsningsforholdene i besætningen. I 13 besætninger blev der fundet resistens overfor benzimidazoler med FECR værdier varierende mellem 80.0 og – 101.3 %, mens FECR i de 3 øvrige besætninger fandtes til henholdsvis 100.0%, 99.3 % og 97.2 %. Resultaterne af spørgeskemaundersøgelsen viste, at hestene i gennemsnit behandledes 8.2 gange om året. I hovedparten af besætningerne anvendtes samme ormemiddel år efter år. Otte ejere ormebehandlede nyindkøbte heste, 5 ejere udførte ikke sådanne behandlinger og 3 ejere indkøbte aldrig heste. I 14 besætninger anvendtes samme areal til afgrænsning år efter år og belægningsgraden blev beregnet til 2.4 hest/ha i gennemsnit. Ormebekæmpelsesprogrammer, hvor risikoen for resistensudvikling er søgt minimeret, diskuteres ligesom bekæmpelsesmetoder uden anvendelse af ormemidler omtales.
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Publication Date: 1991-01-01 PubMed ID: 1803938PubMed Central: PMC8127888DOI: 10.1186/BF03546987Google 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.

The research paper discusses a study conducted to determine the presence of resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics in parasitic nematodes of horses in Denmark. The study revealed resistance in 13 out of 16 horse farms, suggesting widespread anthelmintic resistance amongst the small strongyles (Cyathostominae).

Investigation of Anthelmintic Resistance

  • The study was conducted on 16 horse farms in Denmark, selecting them for faecal egg count reduction (FECR) tests to measure the response to anthelmintic treatment.
  • The researchers detected resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics, a class of drugs used to treat nematode infections, in 13 of the 16 farms. These showed FECR values varying between 80.0% to -101.3%, indicating resistance.
  • Altogether, the high prevalence of resistance underscores the urgency for improved parasitic management strategies in Danish horse farms.

Anthelmintic Usage and Management Practices

  • The researchers conducted a questionnaire study on the usage of anthelmintic drugs, parasite control measures, and management practices in each farm.
  • The study found that horses were treated an average of 7.1 times per year, which could have contributed to the development of drug resistance.
  • It was also discovered that almost all horse owners alternated between different benzimidazole drugs, but did not switch to a different class of anthelmintics. This practice could have further promoted resistance amongst the parasites.
  • Nine owners were found to treat purchased horses before introducing them to the farm, trying to prevent the introduction of resistant parasites. However, this approach might not be fully effective given the widespread resistance found.

Grazing Practices and Animal Stocking

  • The majority of farms repeatedly used the same paddock for grazing every year, providing a constant environment that could support parasitic life cycles and thus furthering resistance development.
  • The average stocking rate was also high, with an estimated 2.4 horses per hectare. High stocking densities can support high parasite burdens and increase the probability of anthelmintic resistance.

Development of Resistance Prevention Strategies

  • Observations from the study suggest that there is a need for improved parasitic management and control strategies that minimize anthelmintic resistance.
  • The research paper ends by discussing possible strategies to avoid the development of resistance and presents recommendations for parasite control on horse farms. These measures could not only manage the current resistance crisis but also prevent further resistance development.

Cite This Article

APA
Bjørn H, Sommer C, Schougård H, Henriksen SA, Nansen P. (1991). Resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics in small strongyles (Cyathostominae) of horses in Denmark. Acta Vet Scand, 32(2), 253-260. https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03546987

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 0044-605X
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 32
Issue: 2
Pages: 253-260

Researcher Affiliations

Bjørn, H
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Nørlund Hestehospital, Denmark.
Sommer, C
    Schougård, H
      Henriksen, S A
        Nansen, P

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Anthelmintics / pharmacology
          • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
          • Denmark
          • Drug Resistance
          • Horses
          • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
          • Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
          • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
          • Strongyloidea / drug effects

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 8 times.
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