The prevalence of shedding of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. based on a single fecal sample collection from each of 91 horses used for backcountry recreation.
Abstract: Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis are now recognized as primary enteric pathogens in animals and humans. Regulatory agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency are under increasing pressure to reduce the concentration of these protozoa in surface waters. Given the popularity of recreational riding of horses on public land in California backcountry, concerns have been raised by various regulatory agencies as to whether horses used for backcountry recreation are a significant source of C. parvum and G. duodenalis for the environment. The prevalence of fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in horses with a history of being ridden in California backcountry during 1993 and 1994 was estimated. Using both direct fluorescent antibody and levitation centrifugation tests, none of 91 single-collection fecal samples from throughout California had Cryptosporidium oocysts or Giardia cysts. Horses ranged from 4 to 24 years of age. Because none of the 91 samples, collected 1 time from each horse, were positive and assuming that the sensitivity and specificity of the test methods employed were 100%, the highest probable prevalence of shedding for either protozoal pathogen was < 3.2% for the cohort of horses studied.
Publication Date: 1997-01-01 PubMed ID: 9087926DOI: 10.1177/104063879700900110Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper deals with understanding the likelihood of Cryptosporidium and Giardia pathogens being shed by horses used for backcountry recreation. The study observed no signs of these pathogens in fecal samples of 91 horses, suggesting a low prevalence of shedding.
Objective of the Research
- The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis – waste pathogens – in horses used for backcountry recreational activities in California.
Background
- Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis are known to be primary enteric pathogens in animals and humans.
- There is high pressure on agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency to control the concentration of these protozoa in surface waters as they can cause diseases when consumed.
- Hence, it was necessary to investigate whether recreational horses could be a source of these pathogens.
Methodology
- A total of 91 horses from around California were considered for the study. The horses ranged from 4 to 24 years of age.
- Each horse contributed a single fecal sample for the research.
- These samples were tested using the direct fluorescent antibody and levitation centrifugation tests for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts or Giardia cysts.
Findings
- The tests revealed that none of the 91 horse samples had either of the protozoal pathogens.
- This leads to the conclusion that if the sensitivity and specificity of the test methods used are 100%, then the highest probable rate of shedding for the pathogen was less than 3.2% in the studied cohort of horses.
Implications
- This study provides valuable insights into the potential of horses being a source of Cryptosporidium and Giardia pathogens, with findings indicating a low probability.
- The absence of these pathogens in the tested horses could be due to several factors, including the condition of the horses and the standard of their upkeep.
- However, more research is needed as the sample size of the study was small, and testing was done only once for each horse.
Cite This Article
APA
Johnson E, Atwill ER, Filkins ME, Kalush J.
(1997).
The prevalence of shedding of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. based on a single fecal sample collection from each of 91 horses used for backcountry recreation.
J Vet Diagn Invest, 9(1), 56-60.
https://doi.org/10.1177/104063879700900110 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- California / epidemiology
- Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
- Cryptosporidiosis / transmission
- Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary
- Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification
- Feces / parasitology
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
- Giardia / isolation & purification
- Giardiasis / epidemiology
- Giardiasis / transmission
- Giardiasis / veterinary
- Horse Diseases
- Horses / parasitology
- Humans
- Male
- Prevalence
- Recreation
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sensitivity and Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Li XM, Geng HL, Wei YJ, Yan WL, Liu J, Wei XY, Zhang M, Wang XY, Zhang XX, Liu G. Global prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in Equus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022;12:1072385.
- Deng L, Li W, Zhong Z, Liu X, Chai Y, Luo X, Song Y, Wang W, Gong C, Huang X, Hu Y, Fu H, He M, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wu K, Cao S, Peng G. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Giardia intestinalis in racehorses from the Sichuan province of southwestern China.. PLoS One 2017;12(12):e0189728.
- Majewska AC, Solarczyk P, Tamang L, Graczyk TK. Equine Cryptosporidium parvum infections in western Poland.. Parasitol Res 2004 Jul;93(4):274-8.
- Atwill ER, Sweitzer RA, Pereira MG, Gardner IA, Van Vuren D, Boyce WM. Prevalence of and associated risk factors for shedding Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and Giardia cysts within feral pig populations in California.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1997 Oct;63(10):3946-9.
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