Serological changes observed in horses infected with Anoplocephala perfoliata after treatment with praziquantel and natural reinfection.

This research studied the serological changes in horses with Anoplocephala perfoliata infection, comparing the effects of treatment with praziquantel and ivermectin versus ivermectin alone. The research found that antibody levels decreased after treatment and continued decreasing with combined drug treatment, with a significant rise in antibodies not observed until several months later.

Objective of the Study

• The aim of the study was to examine the serological changes in two groups of horses infected with Anoplocephala perfoliata, which is a species of tapeworm. The first group of horses was treated with praziquantel and ivermectin, while the second group was only treated with ivermectin.

Methodology

• The researchers used 12 horses for the dual-drug treatment and 14 horses were treated with only ivermectin.
• For around 758 days, serological exams and faecal analyses were performed regularly on each animal.

Findings

• In both groups, the levels of A perfoliata-specific antibodies showed a decrease from the day of the treatment to the 28th day.
• The decrease persisted in the group treated with both drugs, praziquantel and ivermectin, whereas the first substantial decrease in the ivermectin-only group appeared on day 121.
• Between day 151 and day 295, a significant increase in antibody levels was observed in the horses that were administered both drugs.
• However, until day 295, no A perfoliata eggs were found in the faeces of these horses. On day 295, five out of ten horses tested positive for tapeworm eggs in their faeces.

Implications

• The findings suggest that the combined treatment of praziquantel and ivermectin seems to be more effective in combating the A perfoliata infection in horses as compared to using ivermectin alone.
• The serological changes detected, particularly the rise and fall of antibody levels, could potentially be used as a marker for infection progress and treatment efficacy.