The little-known scenario of anthelmintic resistance in equine cyathostomes in Italy.
Abstract: Cyathostomes (Nematoda, Cyathostominae) cause colic, decreased performance and growth, peripheral edema, and dysorexia in equids. Also, the synchronous emergence of cyathostome larvae encysted in the colon and cecal wall causes larval cyathostominosis, which is characterized by protein-depriving enteropathy, chronic diarrhea, edema, weight loss, colitis, and may be fatal. In the past few decades, drug resistance in cyathostomes has become widespread, especially for benzimidazoles. Resistance to tetrahydropyrimidines is still confined to a few areas, and the recent reports of reduced efficacy in macrocyclic lactones are of great concern. Although cyathostomes are widely distributed in Italy, with a prevalence up to 100%, information on the presence of drug-resistant cyathostomes is scarce. The first study investigating drug resistance was conducted on a few farms in 1992 and showed the presence of cyathostome populations resistant to the (pro)benzimidazoles in northern Italy. A second survey was carried out 14 years later, with the focus on farms in central and southern regions. Cyathostomes resistant to fenbendazole and pyrantel pamoate were found, while macrocyclic lactones remained 98-100% effective. Recently, the efficacy of oxibendazole (97%) and moxidectin (100%) in removing fenbendazole-resistant cyathostomes in Italy has also been demonstrated. These few studies indicate that drug-resistant cyathostomes are present in multiple regions of Italy, but geographically and numerically broader investigations of farms are necessary. Finally, there is the undoubted need to use the remaining fully effective drugs (such as moxidectin) in a proper way to preserve their efficacy as much as possible.
Publication Date: 2009-01-06 PubMed ID: 19120201DOI: 10.1196/annals.1428.078Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the rising problem of drug resistance in a type of parasite known as cyathostomes, which are harmful to equids, and the situation in Italy specifically.
Understanding Cyathostomes
- Cyathostomes are parasites that belong to the Nematoda family under the Cyathostominae subfamily. They are harmful to equids (a family comprising horses, donkeys, and zebras), causing colic, decreased performance and growth, peripheral edema, and dysorexia.
- The major threat that these parasites present is larval cyathostominosis, a condition marked by protein-depriving enteropathy, chronic diarrhea, edema, weight loss, colitis, and may even result in death.
Rising Drug Resistance in Cyathostomes
- Over the past few decades, an increasing trend of drug resistance in cyathostomes has been observed, particularly the resistance to benzimidazoles, which are commonly used drugs for treating parasitic infections.
- Resistance to tetrahydropyrimidines is currently limited to a few areas, but the recent reports of decreased effectiveness of macrocyclic lactones, another group of anti-parasite drugs, have brought great concern.
Situation of Cyathostomes in Italy
- Despite the wide prevalence of cyathostomes in Italy (up to 100%), there is a lack of substantial information concerning drug-resistant cyathostomes in the country.
- The first study on this issue was carried out in 1992 on a few farms in northern Italy and found the presence of cyathostome populations resistant to (pro)benzimidazoles.
- A follow-up survey was conducted 14 years later which expanded its scope to farms in central and southern regions of Italy. Cyathostomes resistant to two other anti-parasitic drugs, fenbendazole and pyrantel pamoate, were found. Macrocyclic lactones, however, remained 98-100% effective.
Current Measures and Future Direction
- Recent research has demonstrated the effectiveness of oxibendazole (97%) and moxidectin (100%) in eliminating fenbendazole-resistant cyathostomes in Italy.
- These studies indicate the presence of drug-resistant cyathostomes in multiple regions of Italy, necessitating geographically and numerically broader investigations of farms.
- The paper highlights an urgent need to use still fully effective drugs, like moxidectin, in a proper way to maintain their efficacy in fighting against these drug-resistant parasites.
Cite This Article
APA
Traversa D.
(2009).
The little-known scenario of anthelmintic resistance in equine cyathostomes in Italy.
Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1149, 167-169.
https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1428.078 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Teramo, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teramo, Italy. dtraversa@unite.it
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anthelmintics / pharmacology
- Drug Resistance
- Horses / parasitology
- Italy
- Nematoda / drug effects
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Hamad MH, Islam SI, Jitsamai W, Chinkangsadarn T, Naraporn D, Ouisuwan S, Taweethavonsawat P. Patterns of Equine Small Strongyle Species Infection after Ivermectin Intervention in Thailand: Egg Reappearance Period and Nemabiome Metabarcoding Approach. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 8;14(4).
- Uzal FA, Diab SS. Gastritis, Enteritis, and Colitis in Horses. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2015 Aug;31(2):337-58.
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