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Veterinary parasitology1998; 73(3-4); 225-241; doi: 10.1016/s0304-4017(97)00123-4

The distribution of Anoplocephala perfoliata in the intestine of the horse and associated pathological changes.

Abstract: The intestinal tracts of 130 horses were examined for infection with Anoplocephala perfoliata at necropsy. Fifty horses (38.5%) harboured the tapeworm, and the site of attachment of each worm was recorded using predetermined anatomical landmarks. The worms were attached in four regions of the gastrointestinal tract: 17% of the worms were found at the ileocaecal junction, 81% on the caecal wall, 1.7% in the terminal ileum and 0.2% in the ventral colon. The severity of lesions produced at the sites of attachment was related to the number of worms attached. Due to the small area of the ileocaecal junction, worms at this site were attached in close proximity, resulting in more severe lesions. The major features of the lesions included ulceration, diphtheritic membranes and thickening of the mucosa, submucosa and lamina propria. There was an increase in the number of eosinophils and a decrease in the number of lymphocytes present at the sites of lesions.
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Publication Date: 1998-02-27 PubMed ID: 9477509DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(97)00123-4Google 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 analyzed the prevalence and effects of the tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses, discovering that nearly 40% of horses were infected, with notable effects at the sites of attachment, including inflammation and tissue damage.

Methodology

  • This study examined the intestines of 130 horses post-mortem to investigate Anoplocephala perfoliata infection.
  • Researchers recorded the location of each tapeworm using existing anatomical markers.

Findings

  • A total of 38.5% of the horses harbored the tapeworm, showing a significant infection rate.
  • The tapeworms attached themselves in four key areas of the horse’s gastrointestinal tract: the ileocaecal junction, caecal wall, terminal ileum, and ventral colon.
  • Majority of the worms (81%) were found on the caecal wall and 17% at the ileocaecal junction. Tapeworms in the terminal ileum and ventral colon were less common.

Impact of Infection

  • The intensity of the lesions was directly related to the number of worms attached at the site.
  • Due to the small size of the ileocaecal junction, the worms attached at this location caused more severe harm owing to their close proximity.
  • Primary characteristics of these lesions included ulceration, the appearance of diphtheritic membranes, and thickening of the mucosa, submucosa, and lamina propria.
  • The lesions also showed an increase in eosinophils, a type of white blood cell instrumental in combating parasites, and a decrease in lymphocytes, another type of white blood cells. This is a likely indication of the immune reaction of the host organism to the tapeworm infection.

Implications

  • The study illustrates the high prevalence of Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses and the associated damage at the sites of worm attachment.
  • The findings may have significant implications for horse healthcare, pointing towards the need for better parasite management strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Williamson RM, Gasser RB, Middleton D, Beveridge I. (1998). The distribution of Anoplocephala perfoliata in the intestine of the horse and associated pathological changes. Vet Parasitol, 73(3-4), 225-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-4017(97)00123-4

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 73
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 225-241

Researcher Affiliations

Williamson, R M
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Gasser, R B
    Middleton, D
      Beveridge, I

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cecum / parasitology
        • Cestoda / isolation & purification
        • Cestoda / ultrastructure
        • Cestode Infections / pathology
        • Cestode Infections / physiopathology
        • Cestode Infections / veterinary
        • Colon / parasitology
        • Horse Diseases / parasitology
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Ileocecal Valve / parasitology
        • Ileum / parasitology
        • Intestinal Mucosa / parasitology
        • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
        • Intestinal Mucosa / ultrastructure
        • Intestines / parasitology
        • Intestines / pathology
        • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

        Citations

        This article has been cited 9 times.
        1. Young ND, Wang T, Ang CS, Lale D, Fuehrer HP, Sumanam SB, Korhonen PK, Chang BCH, Gasser RB. Chromosome-scale nuclear genome and proteome of Anoplocephala perfoliata elucidate lineage-specific features of a 'neglected' equine tapeworm. BMC Genomics 2026 Jan 21;27(1):201.
          doi: 10.1186/s12864-026-12554-9pubmed: 41566420google scholar: lookup
        2. 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
        3. Elghryani N, McAloon C, Mincher C, McOwan T, de Waal T. Comparison of the Automated OvaCyte Telenostic Faecal Analyser versus the McMaster and Mini-FLOTAC Techniques in the Estimation of Helminth Faecal Egg Counts in Equine. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 16;13(24).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13243874pubmed: 38136911google scholar: lookup
        4. 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
        5. 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
        6. 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
        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
        8. Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Collins SS. Prevalence of large endoparasites at necropsy in horses infected with Population B small strongyles in a herd established in Kentucky in 1966. Parasitol Res 2006 Jul;99(2):114-8.
          doi: 10.1007/s00436-005-0116-5pubmed: 16508764google scholar: lookup
        9. Slocombe JO. A modified critical test for the efficacy of pyrantel pamoate for Anoplocephala perfoliata in equids. Can J Vet Res 2004 Apr;68(2):112-7.
          pubmed: 15188955
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