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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Parasitol / The prevalence and epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasite...
International journal for parasitology1995; 25(6); 711-724; doi: 10.1016/0020-7519(94)00214-9

The prevalence and epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Victoria, Australia.

Abstract: A quantitative post mortem study of 150 horses from Victoria was conducted to determine the prevalence and epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites. A total of 42 species of metazoan parasite was found. The following species of non-cyathostome parasite were found (% prevalence): Trichostrongylus axei (51%); Habronema muscae (13%); H. majus (2%); Draschia megastoma (5%); Gastreophilus intestinalis (81%); G. nasalis (29%); Parascaris equorum (5%); Anoplocephala perfoliata (29%); Fasciola hepatica (0.7%); Oxyuris equi (7%); Strongylu vulgaris (23%); S. edentatus (23%); S. equinus (3%); Craterostomum acuticaudatum (7%); Triodontophorus serratus (8%); T. tenuicollis (8%); T. brevicauda (3%). Ninety-five per cent of horses were infected with gut-wall encysted stages of cythostomes with a mean intensity of 113,000 larvae per horse. Ninety-three per cent of all horses harboured adult cyathosome worms; 24 species representing 6 genera were found. The 3 most prevalent species were Cylicostephanus longiburstatus (76%); Cyathostomum catinatum (68%) and Cylicocyclus nassatus (54%). Seventeen species of strongyle were present in high abundance, which allowed their site distribution in the large intestine to be determined. Twelve species preferred the large colon to the small colon and caecum, and the remaining 5 species preferred the caecum. Statistical analysis of the parasitological data set allowed effects of sex, age, type, and physical condition of the horse as well as the season and environment on the prevalence and mean intensity of infection to be determined.
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Publication Date: 1995-06-01 PubMed ID: 7657457DOI: 10.1016/0020-7519(94)00214-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 study was a detailed investigation into the prevalence and types of gastrointestinal parasites affecting horses in Victoria, Australia.

Overview of the Research

  • This research involved a quantitative post-mortem examination of 150 horses in Victoria, Australia. The purpose of the study was to establish the prevalence and investigate the epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites in these horses.
  • The researchers identified a total of 42 species of metazoan parasites in the studied horses. Some of these parasites included Trichostrongylus axei, Habronema muscae, Draschia megastoma, Gastreophilus intestinalis, etc.
  • The study revealed that non-cyathostome parasites were found in varying prevalence percentages with Gastreophilus intestinalis showing the highest prevalence at 81%.
  • The study also included a detailed investigation into cyathostome infections, which are parasites that reside within the gut-wall of horses. The researchers recorded that 95% of the studied horses had infections of these gut-wall encysted stages of cyathostomes, with an average intensity of 113,000 larvae per horse.
  • Further, it was found that 93% of all the examined horses harbored adult cyathostome worms. The researchers identified 24 species belonging to 6 genera. Some of the most prevalent species encountered were Cylicostephanus longiburstatus, Cyathostomum catinatum, and Cylicocyclus nassatus.

Research Findings

  • The researchers also made findings on the distribution of strongyle species, a type of parasite, within the large intestine of horses.
  • The study found that 17 species of strongyle were present in high numbers, enabling the researchers to determine their site distribution within the large intestine. It was discovered that 12 species preferred the large colon to the small colon and caecum, while the remaining 5 species preferred the caecum.
  • The researchers used statistical analysis to interpret the parasitological data set and to assess possible factors influencing the prevalence and intensity of infection.
  • This approach allowed them to determine how attributes such as the horses’ sex, age, type, and physical condition, and factors such as the season and environment, could impact the prevalence and mean intensity of infection.

Cite This Article

APA
Bucknell DG, Gasser RB, Beveridge I. (1995). The prevalence and epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Victoria, Australia. Int J Parasitol, 25(6), 711-724. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7519(94)00214-9

Publication

International journal for parasitology
ISSN: 0020-7519
NlmUniqueID: 0314024
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 6
Pages: 711-724

Researcher Affiliations

Bucknell, D G
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Gasser, R B
    Beveridge, I

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Factors
      • Animals
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horses
      • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
      • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
      • Intestine, Large / parasitology
      • Male
      • Prevalence
      • Rain
      • Seasons
      • Sex Factors
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / epidemiology
      • Victoria / epidemiology

      Citations

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