Searching for ivermectin resistance in a Strongylidae population of horses stabled in Poland.
- Journal Article
Summary
The research performed explores the effectiveness of the drug ivermectin in treating horses for strongyles, a type of parasitic worm, in Poland. The findings suggest that ivermectin still shows high efficacy, suggesting no serious resistance issue with strongyles.
Objective and Methodology
The primary goal of the research was to investigate potential resistance of strongyles, a common parasite in horses, to the anthelmintic drug, ivermectin, in Poland. This resistance hadn’t been adequately studied before in the local context. These parasites can cause severe health issues in horses, making the effectiveness of medication crucial.
- The study involved 173 horses from 9 stud farms in South-Western Poland. These horses served as the sample for the study.
- After administering ivermectin, the researchers observed its effectiveness on the 14th day using a fecal egg count reduction test. This test is a standard method to evaluate deworming efficiency.
- They also conducted a long-term study to see the egg reappearance period in the horses’ stool.
- The detection and count of parasite eggs in the horses’ stool were done using a modified McMaster method. This method typically identifies 20 eggs per gram of stool, providing a quantitative measurement of parasite load.
Results and Conclusion
The results of the study showed positive findings in the fight against parasitic worms in horses. The researchers found no significant problem regarding the resistance of strongyles to ivermectin.
- Ivermectin proved to be highly effective on the 14th day after administration.
- The study did not indicate any shortening of the egg reappearance period, thus showing that the drug had a lasting effect on the horses.
- Therefore, based on their findings, the researchers concluded that there is no significant opposition to ivermectin in the strongyles population in Poland.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366, Wroclaw, Poland. agnieszka.zak@up.wroc.pl.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, ul. S. Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, ul. S. Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366, Wroclaw, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anthelmintics / pharmacology
- Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
- Drug Resistance
- Feces / parasitology
- Female
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Ivermectin / pharmacology
- Ivermectin / therapeutic use
- Male
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
- Poland
- Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
- Strongyloidea / isolation & purification
Conflict of Interest Statement
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