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Veterinary parasitology2017; 237; 70-76; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.02.018

Strongyle egg reappearance period after moxidectin treatment and its relationship with management factors in UK equine populations.

Abstract: Parasitic nematodes, particularly cyathostomins, are ubiquitous in grazing horses world-wide. Considerable burdens of cyathostomin larvae can encyst in the large intestinal wall. The most recommended treatment against these pathogenic stages is moxidectin. Information is required on how effective moxidectin is against cyathostomin populations in different regions. The objectives here were to determine the efficacy of moxidectin treatment and estimate the strongyle egg reappearance period (ERP) after treatment in several equine populations, to confirm the type of strongyle nematodes present and to identify other (i.e. management) factors associated with shortened ERP. Eight yards were recruited and moxidectin in combination with praziquantel administered to all horses (n=261). Faecal egg count (FEC) analysis was performed at weeks 0, 2, 6, 10 and 12 after treatment to determine efficacy and ERP. The ERP was estimated using two previously published methods. Morphological identification of cultured third stage larvae from the sample population was compared to a Strongylus vulgaris-specific end-point PCR to examine the presence of S. vulgaris in samples before and after treatment. Strongyle egg shedding patterns were also compared to worm management practices at each site. At 2 weeks post-treatment, moxidectin was highly effective (faecal egg count reduction range, 99.9-100%). The strongyle ERP ranged from 6 weeks to >12 weeks depending on the calculation method applied. Only cyathostomin larvae were detected by morphological identification. The results from the coprocultures and PCR showed that S. vulgaris was absent before and after treatment. Analysis revealed that regular faecal removal from pasture was associated with lower average FEC and lower prevalence of egg shedding.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2017-02-21 PubMed ID: 28249767DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.02.018Google 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 study investigates how effective moxidectin, a popular treatment against cyathostomin larvae in horses, is in different equine populations in the UK. The study examines the effects of treatment, calculates egg reappearance period (ERP) following treatment, identifies the strongyle nematodes present, and looks into other relevant factors such as management practices that may affect ERP.

Research Method

  • The study involved eight yards and all horses present (a total of 261) were treated with a combination of moxidectin and praziquantel.
  • Faecal egg count (FEC) analysis was conducted at specific intervals after treatment (weeks 0, 2, 6, 10, and 12) to measure the effectiveness of the treatment and estimate the ERP. The ERP was determined using two different methods published in previous studies.
  • Third-stage larvae from the sample population were studied and identified based on their morphological attributes. These findings were cross-verified with a Strongylus vulgaris-specific end-point PCR test to examine the presence of S. vulgaris, a type of strongyle nematode, before and after treatment.
  • Patterns in strongyle egg shedding were also recorded and compared to worm management practices at each site.

Results of the Study

  • Moxidectin proved highly effective in reducing the FEC within two weeks of treatment. The FEC reduction ranged from 99.9% to 100%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the therapy.
  • The ERP for strongyle eggs varied from 6 weeks to more than 12 weeks, depending on the calculation method employed.
  • Only cyathostomin larvae were detected in the morphological identification process.
  • The test results from coprocultures and PCR examination confirmed the absence of S. vulgaris before and after treatment.
  • Analysis also showed that faecal removal from pastures on a regular basis was associated with lower average FEC and a decreased prevalence of egg shedding. Thus, pointing to the fact that management practices can also play a crucial role in controlling parasitic nematodes in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Tzelos T, Barbeito JS, Nielsen MK, Morgan ER, Hodgkinson JE, Matthews JB. (2017). Strongyle egg reappearance period after moxidectin treatment and its relationship with management factors in UK equine populations. Vet Parasitol, 237, 70-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.02.018

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 237
Pages: 70-76
PII: S0304-4017(17)30068-7

Researcher Affiliations

Tzelos, Thomas
  • Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, UK. Electronic address: thomas.tzelos@moredun.ac.uk.
Barbeito, Jessica S G
  • University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal.
Nielsen, Martin K
  • Department of Veterinary Science, M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Morgan, Eric R
  • University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK.
Hodgkinson, Jane E
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZJ, UK.
Matthews, Jacqueline B
  • Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Larva
  • Macrolides / therapeutic use
  • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
  • Strongyle Infections, Equine / epidemiology
  • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
  • Strongylus / drug effects
  • Strongylus / physiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Citations

This article has been cited 22 times.
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