Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports2018; 12; 22-25; doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.01.002

Seasonal variation in the prevalence of equine tapeworms using coprological diagnosis during a seven-year period in Denmark.

Abstract: We investigated the prevalence of equine tapeworms, Anoplocephala spp., in Danish horses during a seven-year period assessed by coprological analysis. The data material included >11,000 observations distributed over the period 2009-2015, and four major geographic regions in Denmark representing sandy soils and clayey moraine soils, respectively. This allowed us to test for possible differences between regions (or soil types) and seasons. For a sub-set of the data (about 1200 observations) age of horses was also known, and it was shown that prevalence was highest in the age group 1-5years and then declined with age. We observed no significant difference in the prevalence of Anoplocephala spp. across the geographic regions suggesting that risk of infection was largely the same irrespective the soil types included in the study. Autumn was the season with highest prevalence. However, seasonality was not very marked, and our results show that egg-producing Anoplocephala spp. are found in Danish horses year-round.
Publication Date: 2018-01-11 PubMed ID: 31014802DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.01.002Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Journal Article

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 investigates the prevalence of equine tapeworms in Danish horses over a seven-year period, noting the influence of geographical regions, soil types, horses’ age, and seasons on the infection rates.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved studying the prevalence of Anoplocephala spp., a species of equine tapeworms, in Danish horses over a period of seven years (2009-2015).
  • The data was collected through coprological analysis, a diagnostic method used to assess the presence of parasites in fecal matter.
  • The study included more than 11,000 observations, offering a comprehensive dataset for analysis.
  • The observations were distributed across four major geographic regions in Denmark, two with sandy soils and the other two with clayey moraine soils.
  • A subset of approximately 1,200 observations studied also provided information on the horses’ age ranges.

Findings and Conclusions

  • The results revealed that the prevalence of equine tapeworms was highest in the age group of 1-5 years, declining with the horses’ increasing age.
  • The study found no significant difference in the prevalence of Anoplocephala spp. across the geographic regions, implying that the risk of infection was largely the same regardless of the soil type present in the region.
  • The research also studied the impact of seasonal variation on tapeworm prevalence. It was found that Autumn was the season with the highest prevalence of equine tapeworms.
  • However, the seasonality was not particularly marked, indicating that these parasites could be found in Danish horses all year round.
  • The overall findings of the research highlight the widespread prevalence of Anoplocephala spp. in Danish horses, emphasizing the need for consistent, year-round prevention and treatment strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Engell-Su00f8rensen K, Pall A, Damgaard C, Holmstrup M. (2018). Seasonal variation in the prevalence of equine tapeworms using coprological diagnosis during a seven-year period in Denmark. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 12, 22-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.01.002

Publication

ISSN: 2405-9390
NlmUniqueID: 101680410
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 22-25
PII: S2405-9390(17)30095-3

Researcher Affiliations

Engell-Su00f8rensen, Kirsten
  • Hestelaboratoriet, Terp Skovvej 107B, 8270 Hu00f8jbjerg, Denmark.
Pall, Adina
  • Hestelaboratoriet, Terp Skovvej 107B, 8270 Hu00f8jbjerg, Denmark.
Damgaard, Christian
  • Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsu00f8vej 25, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.
Holmstrup, Martin
  • Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsu00f8vej 25, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark. Electronic address: martin.holmstrup@bios.au.dk.

MeSH Terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Cestoda / isolation & purification
  • Cestode Infections / diagnosis
  • Cestode Infections / epidemiology
  • Cestode Infections / veterinary
  • Climate
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Linear Models
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Prevalence
  • Seasons
  • Soil / parasitology

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Osterman-Lind E, Holmberg M, Grandi G. Selective Anthelmintic Treatment in Horses in Sweden Based on Coprological Analyses: Ten-Year Results.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 28;13(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13172741pubmed: 37685005google scholar: lookup
  2. Nielsen MK. Apparent treatment failure of praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate against anoplocephalid tapeworms.. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023 Aug;22:96-101.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.06.002pubmed: 37354849google scholar: lookup
  3. Gehlen H, Wulke N, Ertelt A, Nielsen MK, Morelli S, Traversa D, Merle R, Wilson D, Samson-Himmelstjerna GV. Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Helminth Infections in Colic and Non-Colic Control Equine Patients.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 19;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10101916pubmed: 33086590google scholar: lookup