FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Tapeworm infection is a significant risk factor for spasmodi...
Equine veterinary journal1998; 30(3); 194-199; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04487.x

Tapeworm infection is a significant risk factor for spasmodic colic and ileal impaction colic in the horse.

Abstract: The association between the equine intestinal tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata and specific types of intestinal disease was investigated by matched case-control study using coprological and serological diagnosis. We have previously shown that the host IgG(T) response to 12/13 kDa antigens of A. perfoliata correlates well with infection intensity, therefore this antibody response was used to investigate the risk of colic at different levels of parasite infection intensity. One hundred and three spasmodic colic cases with an equal number of controls matched for age, breed and gender, and 20 ileal impaction cases each with 2 similarly matched controls were obtained. Cases of spasmodic colic were much more likely (odds ratio = 8.0) to be associated with A. perfoliata infection detected coprologically than controls. Serological diagnosis revealed an increasing risk of spasmodic colic with increasing infection intensity. Calculation of an aetiological fraction suggests that 22% of spasmodic colic cases in this study were tapeworm associated. No significant association was found between colic and strongyle egg count. Conditional logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the relationship between colic and A. perfoliata infection intensity was not confounded by strongyle egg count and there was a linear relationship between infection intensity and the log-odds of spasmodic colic. For cases of ileal impaction, a strong association was found between colic and A. perfoliata as diagnosed by coprological means (odds ratio of 34.0). Serological diagnosis also revealed a strong association that increased with higher levels of infection intensity (odds ratio = 26.0). The aetiological fraction for the ileal impaction data suggests that 81% of the ileal impaction cases in this study were tapeworm associated. This study concludes that A. perfoliata is a significant risk factor for spasmodic colic and ileal impaction colic in the horse; and that the risk of spasmodic colic increases with infection intensity.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1998-06-11 PubMed ID: 9622319DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04487.xGoogle 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 demonstrates a strong correlation between an intestinal tapeworm infection, specifically Anoplocephala perfoliata, and two types of colic in horses, spasmodic and ileal impaction. The risk of these conditions increased with the intensity of the tapeworm infection.

Study Design and Methods

  • The research investigated the relationship between the equine intestinal tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata, and specific types of intestinal diseases using a matched case-control study design.
  • Both coprological (feces-based) and serological (blood serum) diagnostic methods were used to confirm the presence and intensity of the tapeworm infection.
  • Cases involved 103 horses with spasmodic colic and 20 horses with ileal impaction. For each case, a matching number of controls were included that were of the same breed, age, and gender but did not have colic.

Findings

  • Spasmodic colic was found to be eight times more likely in horses with a Tapeworm (A. perfoliata) infection as indicated by a coprological diagnosis.
  • The risk of spasmodic colic increased with the increasing intensity of the tapeworm infection as determined by a serological diagnosis.
  • About 22% of spasmodic colic cases were associated with a tapeworm infection.
  • There was no significant association found between colic and strongyle egg count, a measure often used for internal parasitic infections in horses. Thus, suggesting that the association between colic and tapeworm infections remained valid, unaffected by this specific confounding factor.
  • For cases of ileal impaction, a condition where part of the horse’s small intestine (the ileum) becomes blocked, the study found a strong association with a tapeworm infection with an odds ratio of 34.0 on coprological diagnosis and 26.0 on serological diagnosis.
  • The study suggests that 81% of the ileal impaction colic cases were associated with a tapeworm infection.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that the tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata is a significant risk factor for both spasmodic colic and ileal impaction colic in horses.
  • Further, the study found that the risk of spasmodic colic increases with the intensity of the tapeworm infection.

Cite This Article

APA
Proudman CJ, French NP, Trees AJ. (1998). Tapeworm infection is a significant risk factor for spasmodic colic and ileal impaction colic in the horse. Equine Vet J, 30(3), 194-199. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04487.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 3
Pages: 194-199

Researcher Affiliations

Proudman, C J
  • Division of Parasite and Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine/Faculty of Veterinary Science, Pembroke Place, UK.
French, N P
    Trees, A J

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
      • Case-Control Studies
      • Cestoda / growth & development
      • Cestoda / immunology
      • Cestode Infections / complications
      • Cestode Infections / parasitology
      • Cestode Infections / veterinary
      • Colic / parasitology
      • Colic / veterinary
      • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / veterinary
      • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
      • Feces / parasitology
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / parasitology
      • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
      • Horses
      • Ileal Diseases / parasitology
      • Ileal Diseases / physiopathology
      • Ileal Diseases / veterinary
      • Immunoglobulin G / blood
      • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / complications
      • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
      • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
      • Intestinal Obstruction / parasitology
      • Intestinal Obstruction / physiopathology
      • Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
      • Logistic Models
      • Male
      • Odds Ratio
      • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
      • Risk Factors
      • Spasm / veterinary
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / complications
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 23 times.
      1. Willette J, Guinn A, Munsterman A. Primary Jejunal Impactions Resolved via Exploratory Celiotomy in Six Horses: 2017-2023. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 12;15(16).
        doi: 10.3390/ani15162363pubmed: 40867692google scholar: lookup
      2. Kukurić T, Erdeljan M, Matthews JB, Lightbody KL, Austin CJ, Peczak N, Uzelac A, Klun I, Simin S. A Prevalence Study on Anoplocephala spp. in Serbian Horses: Navigating Diagnostic Challenges and Understanding Infection Risks. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 16;15(14).
        doi: 10.3390/ani15142094pubmed: 40723557google scholar: lookup
      3. Klinhom S, Kunasol C, Sriwichaiin S, Kerdphoo S, Chattipakorn N, Chattipakorn SC, Thitaram C. Characteristics of gut microbiota profiles in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) with gastrointestinal disorders. Sci Rep 2025 Jan 8;15(1):1327.
        doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-85495-0pubmed: 39779898google scholar: lookup
      4. Northcote HM, Wititkornkul B, Cutress DJ, Allen ND, Brophy PM, Wonfor RE, Morphew RM. A dominance of Mu class glutathione transferases within the equine tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata. Parasitology 2024 Mar;151(3):282-294.
        doi: 10.1017/S0031182024000015pubmed: 38200699google scholar: lookup
      5. 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
      6. Jia H, Gao S, Tang L, Fu Y, Xiong Y, Ente M, Mubalake S, Shao C, Li K, Hu D, Zhang D. First report of four rare strongylid species infecting endangered Przewalski's horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in Xinjiang, China. Parasit Vectors 2023 Oct 25;16(1):385.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-023-05993-wpubmed: 37880749google scholar: lookup
      7. Burcáková L, Königová A, Kuzmina TA, Austin CJ, Matthews JB, Lightbody KL, Peczak NA, Syrota Y, Várady M. Equine tapeworm (Anoplocephala spp.) infection: evaluation of saliva- and serum-based antibody detection methods and risk factor analysis in Slovak horse populations. Parasitol Res 2023 Dec;122(12):3037-3052.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-023-07994-1pubmed: 37803152google scholar: lookup
      8. Stummer M, Frisch V, Glitz F, Hinney B, Spergser J, Krücken J, Diekmann I, Dimmel K, Riedel C, Cavalleri JV, Rümenapf T, Joachim A, Lyrakis M, Auer A. Presence of Equine and Bovine Coronaviruses, Endoparasites, and Bacteria in Fecal Samples of Horses with Colic. Pathogens 2023 Aug 15;12(8).
        doi: 10.3390/pathogens12081043pubmed: 37624003google scholar: lookup
      9. Buono F, Veneziano V, Veronesi F, Molento MB. Horse and donkey parasitology: differences and analogies for a correct diagnostic and management of major helminth infections. Parasitology 2023 Oct;150(12):1119-1138.
        doi: 10.1017/S0031182023000525pubmed: 37221816google scholar: lookup
      10. Wititkornkul B, Hulme BJ, Tomes JJ, Allen NR, Davis CN, Davey SD, Cookson AR, Phillips HC, Hegarty MJ, Swain MT, Brophy PM, Wonfor RE, Morphew RM. Evidence of Immune Modulators in the Secretome of the Equine Tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata. Pathogens 2021 Jul 20;10(7).
        doi: 10.3390/pathogens10070912pubmed: 34358062google scholar: lookup
      11. 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
      12. Giusto G, Cerullo A, Labate F, Gandini M. Incomplete Ileocecal Bypass for Ileal Pathology in Horses: 21 Cases (2012-2019). Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 5;11(2).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11020403pubmed: 33562529google scholar: lookup
      13. 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
      14. Jürgenschellert L, Krücken J, Austin CJ, Lightbody KL, Bousquet E, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Investigations on the occurrence of tapeworm infections in German horse populations with comparison of different antibody detection methods based on saliva and serum samples. Parasit Vectors 2020 Sep 10;13(1):462.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04318-5pubmed: 32912340google scholar: lookup
      15. Hedberg-Alm Y, Penell J, Riihimäki M, Osterman-Lind E, Nielsen MK, Tydén E. Parasite Occurrence and Parasite Management in Swedish Horses Presenting with Gastrointestinal Disease-A Case-Control Study. Animals (Basel) 2020 Apr 7;10(4).
        doi: 10.3390/ani10040638pubmed: 32272754google scholar: lookup
      16. Curtis L, Burford JH, England GCW, Freeman SL. Risk factors for acute abdominal pain (colic) in the adult horse: A scoping review of risk factors, and a systematic review of the effect of management-related changes. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219307.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219307pubmed: 31295284google scholar: lookup
      17. Yngvesson J, Rey Torres JC, Lindholm J, Pättiniemi A, Andersson P, Sassner H. Health and Body Conditions of Riding School Horses Housed in Groups or Kept in Conventional Tie-Stall/Box Housing. Animals (Basel) 2019 Feb 26;9(3).
        doi: 10.3390/ani9030073pubmed: 30813613google scholar: lookup
      18. Tomczuk K, Kostro K, Grzybek M, Szczepaniak K, Studzińska M, Demkowska-Kutrzepa M, Roczeń-Karczmarz M. Seasonal changes of diagnostic potential in the detection of Anoplocephala perfoliata equine infections in the climate of Central Europe. Parasitol Res 2015 Feb;114(2):767-72.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-4279-9pubmed: 25540105google scholar: lookup
      19. 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
      20. 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
      21. Fleming K, Mueller PO. Ileal impaction in 245 horses: 1995-2007. Can Vet J 2011 Jul;52(7):759-63.
        pubmed: 22210940
      22. Elsener J, Villeneuve A. Does examination of fecal samples 24 hours after cestocide treatment increase the sensitivity of Anoplocephala spp. detection in naturally infected horses?. Can Vet J 2011 Feb;52(2):158-61.
        pubmed: 21532821
      23. Pavone S, Veronesi F, Piergili Fioretti D, Mandara MT. Pathological changes caused by Anoplocephala perfoliata in the equine ileocecal junction. Vet Res Commun 2010 Jun;34 Suppl 1:S53-6.
        doi: 10.1007/s11259-010-9399-9pubmed: 20461456google scholar: lookup
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,002 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.