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Parasitology research2014; 114(2); 767-772; doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-4279-9

Seasonal changes of diagnostic potential in the detection of Anoplocephala perfoliata equine infections in the climate of Central Europe.

Abstract: For this study, 724 gastrointestinal tracts of slaughter horses were investigated to determine the prevalence, intensity of Anoplocephala perfoliata and tapeworm development stages over the second, third and fourth quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013. For each positive horse, faecal samples were collected from the rectum or small colon for coproscopic examinations. The samples were analysed using dedicated modified sedimentation-flotation methods. In total, 52 horses were infected with A. perfoliata in the course of the study, with an overall prevalence of 7.2 %. The prevalence changed over the study period; however, not markedly. The overall mean of A. perfoliata abundance was 12.3 (3.23) and did not differ significantly between the quarters. Mean invasion intensity did not differ significantly between the quarters. The quantity of mature tapeworms did not differ significantly over the study period; however, there was a significant difference in the number of immature tapeworms. The highest number of mature tapeworms was found in the first quarter of 2013. The number of detected tapeworm eggs rose significantly over the study period. The total number of tapeworms did not have a significant influence on the presence/absence of detected eggs. However, there was a noticeable difference between the number of mature tapeworms and presence/absence of eggs in faeces. This clearly indicates that the efficacy of the modified sedimentation-flotation method is influenced by seasonality, and therefore the most effective and reliable time for detection of A. perfoliata in equines is the first quarter of the year.
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Publication Date: 2014-12-25 PubMed ID: 25540105PubMed Central: PMC4303708DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4279-9Google 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 researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of 724 horses to assess the prevalence, intensity, and development stages of the Anoplocephala perfoliata tapeworm across various seasons in Central Europe. The study found that the rate of infection and intensity did not differ significantly across seasons, but the number of immature tapeworms and detected eggs did show a significant difference across the study period. The study concluded that the modified sedimentation-flotation method’s effectiveness for detecting these tapeworms is influenced by seasonality, making the first quarter of the year the most effective for detection.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted their study by examining 724 slaughter horses’ gastrointestinal tracts. This was done to determine prevalence, intensity, and tapeworm development stages over the second, third, and fourth quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013.
  • For each horse that tested positive for A. perfoliata, faecal samples were collected from the rectum or small colon for a coproscopic examination.
  • The samples collected were then analysed using a dedicated modified sedimentation-flotation method.

Research Findings

  • Out of the 724 horses that were sampled, 52 were found to be infected with A. perfoliata, giving an overall prevalence of 7.2%.
  • The study found that the prevalence of infection changed over the observed period, but not significantly so. The overall mean abundance of A. perfoliata was 12.3 (3.23) and was similar across all quarters.
  • There was no significant difference observed in the intensity of infection between the quarters. Similarly, the mature tapeworm count was nearly constant over the study period.
  • What did change significantly during the study was the number of immature tapeworms and the quantity of detectable tapeworm eggs. The number of immature tapeworms raised significantly, and the highest number of mature tapeworms was recorded in the first quarter of 2013.
  • The study also found an increasing trend in the number of detected tapeworm eggs over time. However, the total number of tapeworms did not significantly influence the presence or absence of detected eggs.

Conclusion and Implications

  • Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that the modified sedimentation-flotation method’s efficacy in detecting the A. perfoliata tapeworm is influenced by seasonal changes.
  • The researchers recommend that the most effective and reliable time for detection of A. perfoliata in horses is during the first quarter of the year, given the highest count of mature tapeworms and an increasing trend of detectable eggs during this period.

Cite This Article

APA
Tomczuk K, Kostro K, Grzybek M, Szczepaniak K, Studzińska M, Demkowska-Kutrzepa M, Roczeń-Karczmarz M. (2014). Seasonal changes of diagnostic potential in the detection of Anoplocephala perfoliata equine infections in the climate of Central Europe. Parasitol Res, 114(2), 767-772. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-4279-9

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 114
Issue: 2
Pages: 767-772

Researcher Affiliations

Tomczuk, Krzysztof
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka Street, 20-950, Lublin, Poland, krzysztof.tomczuk@up.lublin.pl.
Kostro, Krzysztof
    Grzybek, Maciej
      Szczepaniak, Klaudiusz
        Studzińska, Maria
          Demkowska-Kutrzepa, Marta
            Roczeń-Karczmarz, Monika

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Cestoda / growth & development
              • Cestoda / isolation & purification
              • Cestode Infections / diagnosis
              • Cestode Infections / epidemiology
              • Cestode Infections / parasitology
              • Cestode Infections / veterinary
              • Climate
              • Feces / parasitology
              • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
              • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
              • Horse Diseases / parasitology
              • Horses
              • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / diagnosis
              • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
              • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
              • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
              • Parasite Egg Count
              • Poland / epidemiology
              • Prevalence
              • Seasons
              • Temperature

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