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Veterinary parasitology2016; 227; 56-63; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.07.024

Strongylids in domestic horses: Influence of horse age, breed and deworming programs on the strongyle parasite community.

Abstract: An extensive analysis of the relationships between strongylid egg shedding in domestic horses and the strongylid community structure in regard to the age of the horses, their breeds and different strategies of horse management, particularly with anthelmintic treatment programs was performed. Domestic horses (n=197) of different ages (5 months to 22 years) and of various breeds from 15 farms with different types of deworming programs were included in this study. Strongylids (totally, 82,767 specimens) were collected in vivo after deworming of the horses with the macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic ("Univerm", 0.2% aversectin C), and identified to the species level. Models of multiple regressions with dummy variables were used to estimate the effects of age, breed, type of farm and deworming programs on number of eggs shed per gram of feces (EPG value) and the strongylid community. Totally, 33 strongylid species were collected (8 species of Strongylinae and 25 - of Cyathostominae); a significant correlation (r=0.67; p16years). Foals (<1year old) had significantly higher EPG value than older horses. The linear regression models of the strongyle egg counts (EPG) with three predictors: horse age (AGE), number of strongylids (SN), and type of farm (FARM) revealed significant effects of SN and FARM, but an effect of AGE was near the limit of significance. Horses from farms with rare or no anthelmintic treatments (type A) shed significantly more strongyle eggs than horses from farms with regular treatments; frequency of dewormings - 1-2 (type B) or 3-4 and more times per year (type C) did not have a significant impact on the EPG value. Thoroughbreds, Ukrainian Saddlers and Russian Racers had much higher EPG values comparing to non-breed horses. Analysis of the relation of age of the horses and structure of the strongylid communities revealed that foals (16years old) were significantly less infected by large strongyles as compared to other horses. Species from the genus Triodontophorus and Strongylus vulgaris infected foals and young horses; whereas S. edentatus and S. equinus were registered in horses >1.5years old. Differences in proportions of separate strongylid species in the community related to age were insignificant (p>0.05). Frequency of anthelmintic treatments was found to affect horses infections with strongylids and strongylid community structure much more than intrinsic factors such as age and breed.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2016-07-21 PubMed ID: 27523938DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.07.024Google 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 study investigates how age, breed and deworming programs of domestic horses affect the community of strongylid parasites in these animals. An extensive collection of 82,767 specimens was gathered and identified to species level, leading to interesting findings about how these factors influence the population of this specific class of parasite in horses.

Methodology

  • The research involved 197 horses of different ages (5 months to 22 years) and numerous breeds from 15 farms practicing varying deworming programs.
  • Strongylid parasites were amassed in large numbers post-deworming activity with a macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic known as “Univerm” (containing 0.2% aversectin C). These were subsequently identified by species.
  • Multivariate regression models with dummy variables were employed to gauge the effects of age, breed, farm type and deworming programs on both the number of eggs shed per gram of feces, or EPG value, and the strongylid community.

Key Findings

  • Out of 33 collected strongylid species, the highest count was found in young horses between 1.5 to 4 years while the lowest observed in older horses aged above 16 years.
  • Foals, who were less than a year old, had a significantly higher EPG value compared to older horses.
  • The research model revealed significant effects of the number of strongylids and farm type, while effect of age was on the cusp of significance.
  • Horses from farms with sparse or no deworming procedures had a higher count of strongyle eggs compared to horses from farms with regular deworming actions.
  • Thoroughbreds, Ukrainian Saddlers, and Russian Racers had significantly higher EPG values than non-breed horses.
  • The studies showed a decline in infection by large strongyles in foals and old horses compared to other age groups of horses.
  • Species of strongylids varied with age, for instance, foals and young horses are infected by species like Triodontophorus and Strongylus vulgaris, whereas S. edentatus and S. equinus infections are common in horses older than 1.5 years.
  • Nosignificant alterations in proportions of separate strongylid species related to age was observed.

Conclusion

  • The study draws the conclusion that frequency of anthelmintic treatments exerts a wider impact on horse infections with strongylids and the illness’s community structure than intrinsic elements such as age and breed.

Such illuminating insights may prove crucial for the development of effective deworming strategies and making informed decisions considering the breed and age of the horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Kuzmina TA, Dzeverin I, Kharchenko VA. (2016). Strongylids in domestic horses: Influence of horse age, breed and deworming programs on the strongyle parasite community. Vet Parasitol, 227, 56-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.07.024

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 227
Pages: 56-63
PII: S0304-4017(16)30283-7

Researcher Affiliations

Kuzmina, Tetiana A
  • I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine, vul. B. Khmelnytskogo, 15, Kyiv 01030, Ukraine. Electronic address: taniak@izan.kiev.ua.
Dzeverin, Igor
  • I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine, vul. B. Khmelnytskogo, 15, Kyiv 01030, Ukraine.
Kharchenko, Vitaliy A
  • I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine, vul. B. Khmelnytskogo, 15, Kyiv 01030, Ukraine.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / administration & dosage
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Horses
  • Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
  • Strongyle Infections, Equine / genetics
  • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
  • Strongyloidea / classification

Citations

This article has been cited 28 times.
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