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Equine cyathostome populations: accuracy of species composition estimations.

Historically, surveys of equine parasites either are not quantitative in regard to prevalence and intensities of cyathostome species, or if quantitative, are estimates based on the identification of a very small sample of the population. Commonly 100-200 worms are identified. In the current study cyathostomes from 10 ponies were counted and identified to species in subsets of approximately 200 worms each from 5% aliquots of the large intestine contents until all worms in the aliquot were examined. A mean of 10.9+/-4.3 species were identified by examining 200 cyathostomes from each animal. This number increased to 25.2+/-2.6 species when the 5% aliquots were totally examined, indicating that prevalence rates from species with low intensities are probably much greater than previous survey data indicate. A statistical model was used to determine how many worms need to be identified to give a 95% confidence level that all species present are identified.

Animals↗

Critical test evaluation (1977-1992) of drug efficacy against endoparasites featuring benzimidazole-resistant small strongyles (population S) in Shetland ponies.

Several compounds (n = 13 single or combinations; most at therapeutic dosages) were evaluated between 1977 and 1992 in critical tests (n = 91) against benzimidazole (BZ) resistant small strongyles (Population S) and several other species of internal parasites in Shetland ponies, mostly under 1 year old. The closed breeding herd, from which the test ponies were selected, had been treated every 8 weeks with cambendazole (CBZ) for 4 years (1974-1978) and oxibendazole (OBZ) for 14 years (1978-1992). Published field test data (1974-1992) on older ponies in the herd showed BZ resistance of small strongyles. Average efficacies in the present critical tests against small strongyles for OBZ (n = 59 animals) were high in early years (95% or higher), but gradually declined to a low of 1% in 1991. Side-resistance of small strongyles was evident in critical tests (n = 1-6/single drug or combination) for several other BZs and a pro-BZ; ivermectin and piperazine were highly active, but pyrantel pamoate exhibited weak activity. BZ resistance was evident for six small strongyle species (Cyathostomum catinatum, Cyathostomum coronatum, Cylicocylus nassatus, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, and Cylicostephanus longibursatus). Activity on bots, ascarids, large strongyles, and pinworms was essentially as expected, indicating no drug resistance.

Animals↗

A study (1977-1992) of population dynamics of endoparasites featuring benzimidazole-resistant small strongyles (population S) in Shetland ponies.

Critical tests (91) were done between 1977 and 1992 in Shetland ponies to evaluate drug susceptibility and population dynamics (present paper) of endoparasites. The test ponies, most less than 1 year old, were from a herd where older animals were treated every 8 weeks initially with cambendazole (CBZ) (1974-1978) and then with oxibendazole (OBZ) (1978-1992). Previous field test data (1974-1992) on older ponies in the breeding herd indicated the presence of benzimidazole (BZ) resistant small strongyles. Data on population dynamics from the present critical tests indicated that 28 species of small strongyles persisted over the study period in spite of initial susceptibility and later refractiveness of six species to both CBZ and OBZ. Changes in intensities and other aspects were observed for the six BZ-resistant species (Cyathostomum catinatium, Cyathostomum coronatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, and Cylicostephanus longibursatus). Variabilities, some striking, were found in prevalence and intensity in bots, stomach worms, ascarids, eyeworms, large strongyles, pinworms and tapeworms.

Animals↗

Seasonal changes in the level of infective strongylate nematode larvae on pasture in the coastal savanna regions of Ghana.

The level and type of infective strongylate nematode larvae on pasture were followed from March 1994 to April 1995 in the coastal savanna regions of Ghana. The number of infective larvae on pasture was high, reaching 2458 kg-1 dry matter of grass during the period of and soon after the rains, and very low or none in the absence of rainfall. The number of infective larvae on pasture was directly related to the pattern of rainfall, but it was also influenced by the number of raindays in the period. The following genera were found in order of prevalence: Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia. The mean total adult worm burdens of tracer lambs released monthly were related to the levels of herbage infective larvae.

Animals↗

Controlled dose confirmation study of a 2% moxidectin equine gel against equine internal parasites in The Netherlands.

The efficacy of a 2% moxidectin equine gel at a dosage rate of 0.4 mg kg-1 was evaluated in a controlled trial at Utrecht University. Twelve yearling castrated male Shetland ponies grazed a pasture of 2 ha from May 1994 until housing in November. Six ponies were treated with moxidectin, whereas the others served as non-treated controls. Necropsy was carried out 35 days after treatment. Greater than 99% efficacy of moxidectin was observed on faecal egg output. No effect of moxidectin was observed on mucosal inhibited early cyathostome L3 (EL3) or on the total numbers of mucosal developing stages. However, a 89.6% reduction was observed on large mucosal fourth stage larvae (L4). Moxidectin treatment probably triggered resumption of development of EL3. Moxidectin appeared to be highly effective (95-100%) on lumenal L4 cyathostomes, adult strongylids, Strongylus vulgaris larvae from the arteries, S. edentatus larvae from the abdominal wall and Trichostrongylus axei. Moxidectin had relatively poor efficacy against Gasterophilus intestinalis and had no effect on Anoplocephala perfoliata. No side-effects of moxidectin treatment were observed.

Animals↗

The pathogenic effects of experimental cyathostome infections in ponies.

Nine pony breed foals were reared indoors, then allocated to one of three groups infected with either 3.9 million (Group A) or 3.15 million (Group B) cold-conditioned third stage cyathostome larvae or kept as uninfected controls (Group C). The larvae were administered as a 'trickle' infection of 150000 larvae per dose, three times weekly. Blood biochemical and haematological analyses were performed weekly and faecal worm egg counts bi-weekly. Complete parasitological examinations were performed on all ponies at various times post-initial infection (PI): one infected animal at 9 weeks PI, four animals (three infected, one control) at 20 weeks PI and four animals (two infected, two controls) at 60-62 weeks PI. All ponies in the infected groups experienced a marked reduction in weight gain and two animals developed clinical disease: one pony developed intermittent diarrhoea and colic 8 weeks PI; another pony developed intermittent diarrhoea between 30 and 52 weeks PI. All infected ponies had decreased serum fructosamine concentrations and five had decreased serum albumin, which were first apparent 4-6 weeks PI. Alterations in the composition of serum globulins were detected in all ponies. Transient neutrophilia was observed in five animals from the infected groups 3-9 weeks PI. Serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations were increased in one pony between 30 and 60 weeks PI. During the course of the experiment, faecal samples from all infected animals were negative for worm eggs. At necropsy, cyathostome larvae were present within the mucosa of the large intestine of all infected ponies, however the mucosal larval counts varied considerably between individuals.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Experimental cyathostome challenge of ponies maintained with or without benefit of daily pyrantel tartrate feed additive: comparison of parasite burdens, immunity and colonic pathology.

Eighteen mixed-breed, naturally infected ponies ranging in age from 1 to 16 yr and four cyathostome-naïve ponies reared and maintained under parasite-free conditions ranging in age from 1 to 4 yr were used in this study. Naturally-infected ponies were treated with 1 dose of ivermectin (IVM) at 200 micrograms kg-1, followed by a 5-day regimen of oxibendazole (OBZ) at 20 mg kg-1 to remove existing cyathostome burdens; cyathostome-naïve control ponies were treated with IVM alone. The naturally infected ponies were matched on age and gender, then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups of six animals per group; the four cyathostome-naïve ponies constituted a fourth group. Following OBZ treatment, Group 1 ponies were treated with pyrantel tartrate (PT) in their pelleted ration; the remaining ponies received only the pelleted ration. Beginning on experiment Day 3, a daily challenge infection of 10(4) mixed cyathostome larvae was administered orally to ponies of Group 1, Group 2 and the cyathostome-naïve controls. Group 3 ponies served as unchallenged controls to determine residual parasite burdens following IVM/OBZ treatment. Necropsy examinations were performed on three Group 3 ponies on Day 1; the remainder of the necropsy examinations began on Day 41. Cyathostome burdens were evaluated by recovery of larvae and adults from the luminal contents, by digestions of the intestinal mucosa, and by mural transillumination of full-thickness intestinal sections. Differences in postchallenge clinical responses were also compared. Necropsy examinations included comparisons of grossly visible inflammation of the large bowel, weights of biopsy specimens from each region, and histologic evaluations of these biopsies. Parasite recoveries at necropsy indicated a strong protective effect derived from daily PT treatment. Mean weights of intestinal biopsies corresponded with worm burdens, but histological evaluation did not reveal architectural or cellular changes to account for the increase in weight; therefore, edema was suspected. A strong age-related resistance to challenge infection was apparent in both the PT-treated and control groups by virtue of the lower mean worm burdens found in older ponies compared to younger ponies of the same treatment group; however, daily PT treatment of older ponies reduced the variability of their worm burdens to a uniformly low level. Comparisons of luminal and mucosal parasite burdens of age stratified nontreated controls further suggest that the age related resistance, which is acquired, targets increasing numbers of parasite stages as this resistance matures. Further, there is no evidence for an immune mediated acquisition of hypobiotic L3.

Age Factors↗

A comparison of the bioequivalence of 0.5% fenbendazole top dress pellets or 10% fenbendazole oral suspension against a spectrum of equine parasites.

A controlled test was conducted to assess the efficacy bioequivalence of a single dose of 0.5% fenbendazole (FBZ) top dress pellets to a 10% FBZ suspension formulation (Panacur suspension 10%, Hoechst Roussel Vet). Thirty horses with naturally-acquired parasite infections, in replicates of three, were used. Strongyle egg per gram counts were not significantly different (P>0.1) between groups pretreatment, but FBZ treated groups were significantly different from the control group post-treatment. At necropsy, which occurred seven to nine days post-treatment, two methods of nematode recovery were compared to assess whether a small aliquot can be used in a control test to determine efficacy against large as well as small strongyles. Both post mortem worm recovery techniques revealed similar efficacies of both formulations (>95%) against small and large strongyles, but large differences in the number of worms recovered. Six species of small strongyles comprised 96% of all the small strongyles recovered: Coronocyclus coronatus, Cylicocyclus insigne, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicocyclus brevicapsulatus, Cylicocyclus nassatus, and Cyathostomum catinatum. The results of this study demonstrated therapeutic bioequivalence between FBZ formulations and also the need to sample at least a 10% aliquot to accurately estimate number of large strongyles. No adverse reactions to treatment were detected.

Administration, Oral↗

Cyathostominae (Nematoda) parasites of Equus caballus in some Brazilian states.

Thirty six horses from nine Brazilian states (Goiás, Minas Gerais, Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, and Ceará) were examined for infections by small strongyles. The following species were identified: Cylicocyclus nassatus, C. insigne, C. brevicapsulatus, C. leptostomum, C. radiatus, C. ultrajectinus, C. ashworthi, Cylicostephanus goldi, C. calicatus, C. minutus, C. longibursatus, Petrovinema poculatum, Coronocyclus coronatus, C. labiatus, C. labratus, Cyathostomum catinatum, C. pateratum, C. alveatum, Parapoteriostomum euproctus, Cylicodontophorus bicoronatus, Poteriostomum ratzii, P. imparidentatum and Gyalocephalus capitatus. The most prevalent were C. longibursatus (100%), C. nassatus (97.22%) and C. catinatum (94.44%). They were also the most abundant species, comprising 31.84, 23.71 and 14.14%, respectively, of the Cyathostominae parasites found. Infections were found to include 2-17 species in a single horse, with variable associations.

Animals↗

Historical perspective of cyathostomes: prevalence, treatment and control programs.

Small strongyles are highly prevalent in horses and can be found worldwide. Even though over 50 species of these parasites have been described, about 10 species comprise the bulk of the total number present in horses. Efforts to control small strongyles and other equine internal parasites have been undertaken for many years. Some of the early medications and control measures provided questionable activity against endoparasites; whether effective or not, they could be detrimental to the horse. Beginning in the early 1900s, scientific effort was used to evaluate activity of antiparasitic compounds. Only a relatively low number of classes of compounds has been used for parasite control. Progressively, in time, newer drugs have become broad-spectrum, safer, and available in lower dose rates than previously. With extensive use of parasiticides, small strongyles have been found to be resistant to all commercially-available classes of compounds except the macrocyclic lactones. Innovative parasite-control programs, relying less on drugs, need to be developed.

Animals↗

Pathogenicity of cyathostome infection.

Cyathostomes are now the principle parasitic pathogen of the horse: a remarkable transformation during the last 25 years from virtual obscurity to focus of attention in equine parasitology. This rise to prominence coincides with the marked decrease in prevalence of large strongyle infections as a result of widespread use of modern anthelmintic compounds. On the basis that strongyle-associated diseases continue to commonly occur in the absence of these large strongyle species, clinical attention has turned to the pathogenicity of cyathostomes. Although many horses harbour burdens of tens of thousands of cyathostomes without developing detectable illness, these parasites can result in an inflammatory enteropathy affecting the caecum and colon. Although the principle clinical effect of cyathostomosis is weight loss, affected individuals may exhibit other signs including diarrhoea and/or subcutaneous oedema and/or pyrexia. Clinical cyathostomosis occurs more commonly in young horses in late winter/early spring but there is lifelong susceptibility to cyathostomes and they can cause clinical disease in any age of horse during any season. Animals with cyathostomosis often develop hypoalbuminaemia and/or neutrophilia but there are no clinicopathological features specific for the disease. Experimental infections with cyathostomes have resulted in both clinical and pathological features similar to those of naturally-occuring cyathostomosis cases. From the experimental infection studies, it is evident that cyathostomes are pathogenic at times of both penetration into and emergence from the large intestinal mucosa. An unusual feature of cyathostome biology is the propensity for arrested larval development within the large intestinal mucosa for more than 2 years. From limited studies it appears that this arrested larval development is favoured by: feedback from luminal to mucosal worms; larger size of challenge dose of larvae and trickle (versus single bolus) infection. During arrested larval development cyathostomes have minimal susceptibility to all anthelmintic compounds, thus, limiting the effectiveness of therapeutic and/or control strategies. Although, the relative importance of individual cyathostomes is not known, the development of species-specific DNA methods for identification of cyathostomes provides a means by which the pathogenicity of different species might be established.

Animals↗

Immunity in equine cyathostome infections.

Defining the characteristics of immunity and immune responses to equine cyathostome infections is clearly important to advancing our understanding of the development of these nematodes within the host, the clinical conditions attributed to them, and in developing more rational and novel strategies for their control. Nonetheless, little is currently known on this topic. Current data based on field observations, worm burdens and fecal egg counts suggest that horses acquire a resistance to cyathostome infection with age. This response is slow to develop and incomplete in that most horses regardless of age harbor significant populations of these nematodes. More convincing evidence has been obtained from experimental infections which indicate that mature horses previously exposed to infection are resistant to re-infection and this resistance is directed at all stages of the parasite life cycle. Further, some immunity against the developing stages within the mucosa appears to require less exposure and occurs in younger animals. Some non-specific events which induce expulsion of all species of lumenal dwelling nematodes also appear to take place post-infection with L3. Antibodies have been detected in limited studies against somatic extracts of adult worms. Not surprisingly, titers of these antibodies do not correlate resistance to re-infection. Serendipitous observations have, however, associated a greater expression of the gene for IL-4 with the spontaneous expulsion of lumenal parasites. The development of a usable model is required to further advance our knowledge in this area.

Animals↗

Mucosal larval recovery techniques of cyathostomes: can they be standardized?

The methods used currently for enumeration of mucosal stages of cyathostomes include transmural illumination (TMI) and peptic digestion (DIG). Enumerating the inhibited early L3 (EL3) and differentiating between mucosal developing L3 (DL3) and L4 (ML4) is only possible when DIG is used. However, in some studies higher numbers of DL (DL3 + ML4) have been found when using TMI as opposed to DIG. This finding, however, is not consistent. Moreover, results are not consistent when DIG and TMI are compared for treated and control groups of horses in drug trials. Studies performed on the effect of freezing on DIG and TMI also show inconsistent results between laboratories. However, there is, evidence that digested samples can be preserved in 5-10% formalin or in 70% ethanol when used as a buffered isotonic solution. Based on these results it is premature to recommend standardized mucosal larval recovery techniques. Consequently, TMI and DIG should both be applied. Recommendations for further research for the development of standardized techniques are given.

Animals↗

Alternative approaches to control of cyathostomes: an African perspective.

Cyathostomes are common nematode parasites of horses, donkeys and mules in developing countries. These equids usually work on a daily basis and this includes transportation of goods, crops and people. Stress, associated with work, and limited nutrition often result in a loss of condition, and cyathostomid nematodes may, then, cause clinical disease. Because anthelmintics are not always accessible or affordable in many parts of Africa, or there may be anthelmintic resistance to current remedies, management practices are often used as an adjunct to chemotherapy. This paper discusses some current approaches to the control of cyathostomes in developing countries in Africa, as well as proposed areas of research which are practical and appropriate to this problem.

Africa↗

Current concerns about control programs in temperate climates.

Efforts to control cyathostome nematodes in temperate climates have not been uniformly successful, as evidenced by contemporary reports of clinical disease and widespread anthelmintic failure. Indeed, effective control is confounded by numerous factors, including ignorance of local transmission patterns, confusing or conflicting control recommendations, and use of ineffective anthelmintics or regimens. Most of these problems are universal rather than being climatically unique, and it is important to recognize that they are mere symptoms of larger and more comprehensive problems. The most basic problem in managing cyathostomes is inadequate knowledge of biological factors that influence control recommendations. These include population dynamics, arrested development, host resistance, and regional bionomics. Another hindrance is the absence of objective criteria to define effective control. Target fecal egg counts are arbitrary and subjective, and parameters to measure the subclinical impact of cyathostome infection in well-managed horses have not been identified. The final general challenge to effective parasite control is motivation and education of equine practitioners and horse owners, who currently receive much of their parasite control information in the form of biased advertising. Ultimately, more effective equine parasite control will result from collaborative efforts of basic research, clinical application, and improved information transfer.

Animals↗

Seasonal transmission of equine cyathostomes in warm climates.

Few studies investigating the seasonal transmission of equine cyathostomes have been done in warm climates. Two Australian studies used experimentally-infected plots to determine hatching, development and survival of free living stages of equine cyathostomes. Four studies in the southern United States used pasture larval counts, and in some instances tracer animals, to determine seasonal availability of infective cyathostome larvae on naturally-infected pastures. With the exception of the dry Australian tropics, a general pattern of peak transmission of cyathostomes during the cooler seasons of the year and minimal transmission during the warmest seasons was observed. Infective larvae and developing stages survived poorly in hot weather, although the rate of development was most rapid during that time. In contrast, infective larvae and developing stages survived well in cool weather, although the rate of development was slower. Adequate moisture was crucial to cyathostome transmission in warm climates, thus hot, dry weather effectively sterilized a pasture, whereas cool, moist weather was optimum for transmission. These data suggest that suppression of cyathostome egg output in feces of horses beginning shortly before the onset of cooler and/or more moist weather, and continued through the favorable period for development and survival of larvae on pasture - usually the autumn and winter should provide adequate control of these parasites. However, the efficacy of such seasonal control programs has yet to be adequately tested against that of traditional year round treatments.

Animals↗

Considerations for the control of equine cyathostomes in arid areas.

Internal parasites of horses are ubiquitous but that does not suppose that the level of infection does not vary with climatic conditions. Climate determines the limits of where a parasite species can survive the external environment and weather determines the transmission pattern within the climatic bounds [Levine, N.D., 1963. Adv. Vet. Sci. 8, 215-261]. Arid areas have a more limited exposure potential to important parasites but the level of exposure can nonetheless lead to disease. It must be remembered that, even in arid areas, it does rain and irrigation, overflow from water troughs, dew dripping off buildings and on the vegetation can also provide the medium to allow escape of larval cyathostomes from feces to forage. How horses earn their living is most important in determining the level of exposure to cyathostomes. Recreational grazing, which surely does more for the soul of the owner than for the nutrition of the horse, almost absolutely insures that horses will encounter larvae. To be certain, in arid areas there may be an opportunity for horses to spatially separate grazing and dunging areas but not all horses are so disposed, and even if they are they may not be able to do so.

Animals↗

Pharmacology of anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomes: will it occur with the avermectin/milbemycins?

Anthelmintic-resistance has emerged as a problem in several animal industries. In the horse, cyathostome resistance to all available treatments except for the avermectin/milbemycins means that these drugs provide the cornerstone of control. Ivermectin has been available for several years; the related compound moxidectin is more recent. Although we do not know for sure, aspects of moxidectin such as its persistent action and its efficacy against mucosal stages of cyathostomes, may enhance the rate of development of resistance. On the other hand, selection pressure would be reduced if the persistence of moxidectin allows it to be used less frequently in the field. Reduced anthelmintic usage and surveillance of egg reappearance period are the most useful tools in managing resistance.

Animals↗