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The Veterinary record2008; 162(2); 50-53; doi: 10.1136/vr.162.2.50

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

Abstract: The serological changes in two groups of horses known to be harbouring Anoplocephala perfoliata were studied; 12 were treated with 1.5 mg/kg praziquantel and 200 microg/kg ivermectin, and 14 were treated with 200 microg/kg ivermectin. Serological and faecal analyses were carried out on each animal at intervals for 758 days. The titres of antibodies specific for A perfoliata decreased from the day of treatment to day 28 in both groups, and continued to decrease in the group treated with praziquantel and ivermectin, with the first significant decrease from the other group at day 121. From day 151 to day 295 the first significant increase in antibody levels in the group treated with both drugs was observed; no A perfoliata eggs were detected in the faeces of these animals until day 295 when five of the 10 were positive.
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Publication Date: 2008-01-15 PubMed ID: 18192657DOI: 10.1136/vr.162.2.50Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

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.

Cite This Article

APA
Abbott JB, Mellor DJ, Barrett EJ, Proudman CJ, Love S. (2008). Serological changes observed in horses infected with Anoplocephala perfoliata after treatment with praziquantel and natural reinfection. Vet Rec, 162(2), 50-53. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.162.2.50

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 0042-4900
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 162
Issue: 2
Pages: 50-53

Researcher Affiliations

Abbott, J B
  • Division of Companion Animal Sciences, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH.
Mellor, D J
    Barrett, E J
      Proudman, C J
        Love, S

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
          • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
          • Cestoda / immunology
          • Cestode Infections / blood
          • Cestode Infections / drug therapy
          • Cestode Infections / veterinary
          • Drug Synergism
          • Feces / parasitology
          • Female
          • Horse Diseases / blood
          • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
          • Horses
          • Ivermectin / therapeutic use
          • Male
          • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
          • Praziquantel / therapeutic use

          Citations

          This article has been cited 7 times.
          1. Wang T, Chen X, Yan X, Su Y, Gao W, Liu C, Wang W. Progress in serology and molecular biology of equine parasite diagnosis: sustainable control strategies. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1663577.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1663577pubmed: 40979365google scholar: lookup
          2. Matthews JB, Peczak N, Lightbody KL. The Use of Innovative Diagnostics to Inform Sustainable Control of Equine Helminth Infections. Pathogens 2023 Oct 11;12(10).
            doi: 10.3390/pathogens12101233pubmed: 37887749google scholar: lookup
          3. Hautala K, Pursiainen J, Näreaho A, Nyman T, Varmanen P, Sukura A, Nielsen MK, Savijoki K. Label-free quantitative proteomics and immunoblotting identifies immunoreactive and other excretory-secretory (E/S) proteins of Anoplocephala perfoliata. Front Immunol 2022;13:1045468.
            doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1045468pubmed: 36466892google scholar: lookup
          4. Slater R, Frau A, Hodgkinson J, Archer D, Probert C. A Comparison of the Colonic Microbiome and Volatile Organic Compound Metabolome of Anoplocephala perfoliata Infected and Non-Infected Horses: A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 9;11(3).
            doi: 10.3390/ani11030755pubmed: 33803473google scholar: lookup
          5. Nielsen MK, Vidyashankar AN, Bellaw J, Gravatte HS, Cao X, Rubinson EF, Reinemeyer CR. Serum Strongylus vulgaris-specific antibody responses to anthelmintic treatment in naturally infected horses. Parasitol Res 2015 Feb;114(2):445-51.
            doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-4201-5pubmed: 25358238google scholar: lookup
          6. Getachew AM, Innocent G, Proudman CJ, Trawford A, Feseha G, Reid SW, Faith B, Love S. Field efficacy of praziquantel oral paste against naturally acquired equine cestodes in Ethiopia. Parasitol Res 2013 Jan;112(1):141-6.
            doi: 10.1007/s00436-012-3117-1pubmed: 23001508google scholar: lookup
          7. Getachew AM, Innocent G, Proudman CJ, Trawford A, Feseha G, Reid SW, Faith B, Love S. Equine cestodosis: a sero-epidemiological study of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in Ethiopia. Vet Res Commun 2012 Jun;36(2):93-8.
            doi: 10.1007/s11259-012-9516-zpubmed: 22294318google scholar: lookup
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