Parasitic diseases of equids in Iran (1931–2020): a literature review

Parasitic infections can cause many respiratory, digestive and other diseases and contribute to some performance conditions in equids. However, knowledge on the biodiversity of parasites of equids in Iran is still limited. The present review covers all the information about parasitic diseases of horses, donkeys, mules and wild asses in Iran published as articles in Iranian and international journals, dissertations and congress papers from 1931 to July 2020. Parasites so far described in Iranian equids include species of 9 genera of the Protozoa (Trypanosoma, Giardia, Eimeria, Klossiella, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Theileria and Babesia), 50 helminth species from the digestive system (i.e., 2 trematodes, 3 cestodes and 37 nematodes) and from other organs (i.e., Schistosoma turkestanica, Echinococcus granulosus, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, Parafilaria multipapillosa, Setaria equina and 3 Onchocerca spp.). Furthermore, 16 species of hard ticks, 3 mite species causing mange, 2 lice species, and larvae of 4 Gastrophilus species and Hippobosca equina have been reported from equids in Iran. Archeoparasitological findings in coprolites of equids include Fasciola hepatica, Oxyuris equi, Anoplocephala spp. and intestinal strongyles. Parasitic diseases are important issues in terms of animal welfare, economics and public health; however, parasites and parasitic diseases of equines have not received adequate attention compared with ruminants and camels in Iran. The present review highlights the knowledge gaps related to equines about the presence, species, genotypes and subtypes of Neospora hughesi, Sarcocystis spp., Trichinella spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis and microsporidia. Identification of ticks vectoring pathogenic parasites, bacteria and viruses has received little attention, too. The efficacy of common horse wormers also needs to be evaluated systematically.

Prevalence and Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Donkeys in Selected Abattoirs in Kenya

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys slaughtered in Kinamba, Mogotio, and Lodwar slaughterhouses and their association with several host factors. A survey was done between July and September 2017 in three slaughterhouses. Faecal samples were collected per rectum from all the study donkeys for faecal egg counts (EPG) and morphological identification of the eggs. At slaughter, the gastrointestinal tracts were opened and examined visually, and all helminth parasites collected were subjected to morphological identification. Prevalence and intensity were calculated based on the helminth identified and EPG. A total of 282 donkeys were sampled. A majority of the donkeys (89%) were in poor body condition. Ten helminth parasite species were identified in 85.5% donkeys. They were Strongylus vulgaris (52.8%), Parascaris equorum (20.2%), Strongylus edentatus (12.1%), Anaplocephala perfoliata (10.3%), Setaria equina (3.5%) Anaplocephala magna (2.5%), Cylicocyclus auriculatus (2.1%), Cyathostomum species (1.8%), Strongylus equinus (0.4%), and Triodontophorus serratus (0.4%). A significant percentage (55.3%) had no eggs in their feces, 39% had low infection, 5% had medium, and only 0.7% were heavily infected. Prevalence rates via use of the EPG showed Strongyles (44.7%), Parascaris equorum (5.3%), Oxyuris equi (11%), Triodontophorus tenuicolis (0.7%), Habronema species (0.7%), and cestodes eggs (0.4%). No significant differences were observed between fecal Strongylus egg count and age, sex, and pregnancy status. However, donkeys with poor body condition shed more Strongylus eggs in feces. Helminth infections are prevalent in donkeys in Kenya; however, this is not reflected in coprological analyses. These helminth parasites may contribute to poor body condition, ill health, and poor productivity of donkeys.

Caracterización de endo y ectoparásitos en équidos sacrificados para consumo humano

Introducción: el parasitismo es uno de los principales problemas de salud y producción animal en Colombia, como lo es en otros países de la región; por lo tanto, es importante identificar aquellos más frecuentes con el propósito de considerar estrategias de prevención y control. Este trabajo se realizó con el objetivo de aportar al conocimiento sobre los endoparásitos y ectoparásitos presentes en los équidos sacrificados entre octubre y diciembre de 2015 en la Planta de Beneficio Villa Rosa, Piedecuesta, Santander, Colombia. Metodología: para la identificación de los ectoparásitos y hemoparásitos se utilizaron 83 équidos, y 75, para los parásitos gastrointestinales. Los ectoparásitos se colectaron directamente de la piel y para los hemoparásitos se utilizaron las técnicas de hemocultivo, Woo, preparaciones en fresco, extendidos coloreados y Knott. Los parásitos gastrointestinales se estudiaron mediante las técnicas de McMaster, sedimentación-flotación, cultivo de heces y necropsia helmintológica. Resultados: el 31,32 % de los équidos examinados estaban parasitados con Anocentor nitens y el 8,43 % presentó infestación mixta con Amblyomma cajennense s.l. El piojo Haematopinus asini fue colectado en un animal. Salvo la presencia de microfilarias de Setaria equina en 7,2 % de las muestras, no se detectaron hemoparásitos con los procedimientos parasitológicos empleados. Se observaron huevos tipo Strongylida en 88 % de las muestras; Dictyocaulus sp. en 6,6 %; Parascaris sp. en 5,33 %; Oxyuris sp. en 5,33 %; Strongyloides sp. en 1,33 % y Anoplocephala sp. en 9,3 %. En el cultivo de heces se observaron 12 larvas L3 de la subfamilia Cyathostominae o “pequeños Strongylus” y una del nematodo Trichostrongylus axei. En las necropsias se hallaron adultos de: Habronema megastoma, Setaria equina, Oxyuris equi, Strongylus sp., Triodontophorus, Cyathostominae y Anoplocephala perfoliata. Conclusiones: los parasitismos por garrapatas, grandes y pequeños estróngilos y tenias, son frecuentes en los equinos sacrificados. Se recomiendan técnicas serológicas y moleculares para detectar hemoparásitos en estudios posteriores.

EFFICIENCY OF ANTIPARASITIC DRUG IVERPRADAG IN THE TREATMENT OF PARASITOSES OF HORSES

The article provides information about the new preparation Iverpradag, developed by the firm "Gudratli lukman" (Turkmenistan), which is being tested in Russian Federation and Turkmenistan, intended for the prevention and treatment of parasitosis in horses. The active principle of the developed preparation is widely known and very effective ivermectin and praziquantel (in complex). Studies conducted in Russia and Turkmenistan showed high effectiveness of the drug against nematodes including Delafondia vulgaris, Alfortia edentatus, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, Parascaris equorum, Strongylus equinus, Strongyloides westeri, Setaria equina, and cestode, including Anoplocephala magna, Anoplocephala perfoliata and Paranoplocephala mamillana, as well as against gastric larvae (Gastrophilus spp.) parasitizing in horses. The conducted studies showed high efficiency of the drug Iverpradag in the form of paste when applied at the rate of 1 dose (0,9 ml) per 100 kg of body weight.