Intestinal parasites in Przewalski's horses (Equus ferus przewalskii): a field survey at the Hortobágy National Park, Hungary

Abstract

The Pentezug Wildhorse Reserve, located in the Hortobágy National Park, Hungary, has one of the biggest ex situ populations of Przewalski's horses and aims to preserve its landscape and to study this subspecies. Between September and November 2018, 79 faecal samples were collected from Przewalski's horses. The McMaster, Willis flotation, natural sedimentation and coproculture methods were applied to all the samples. Results showed an average level of 1287 eggs per gram (EPG), which is a high faecal egg-shedding level. All the samples were positive for strongyle-type eggs (100%). There were no statistical differences regarding the EPG values between different harems of the population. The same happened when considering sexes, ages, lactating status or when bachelors are compared with harem members. Cyathostominae were dominant, when compared to Strongylinae and Tricostrongylidae, and 15 different morphological infective third-stage larvae types and/or species belonging to the order Strongylida were identified. The subfamily Cyathostominae was prevalent in 100% of the horses. Strongylus vulgaris was the most prevalent strongylin (40.5%). Additionally, 27.8% were positive for Parascaris sp. and 2.5% showed Oxyuris equi in their faeces. This study revealed that there is a higher prevalence of Triodontophorus serratus and Poteriostomum spp. in juveniles. Horses with S. vulgaris showed lower levels of EPG. This was the first study involving this population, showing 100% prevalence of intestinal parasites.

Chromosome Instability in Pony of Esperia Breed Naturally Infected by Intestinal Strongylidae

“…Another interesting result is that a statistically significant higher value of CAs was found in animals with EPG > 930 when compared to animals with EPG < 930. In this regard, it has been seen that, in equids, the number of parasites present could be decisive in evaluating the state of health of an individual, for which EPG < 500 represents a low infection, 500 < EPG < 1000 represents a moderate infection, and EPG > 1000 represents a high infection [ 31 , 32 ]. The only parameter in which an inconsistency was observed is aneuploidy, which was higher in subjects with 260 < EPG < 640 than in animals with 690 < EPG < 930.…”

Horse and donkey parasitology: differences and analogies for a correct diagnostic and management of major helminth infections

“…As in horses and also in donkeys, the most common nematode parasites are intestinal strongyles (large and small strongyles) (Buono et al ., 2021 ; Dias de Castro et al ., 2022 ). In both species, parasitic infections are caused mainly (>90%) by small strongyles (Buono et al ., 2021 ; Jota Baptista et al ., 2021 ; Nielsen et al ., 2021 ). A recent meta-analysis reported that Cylicocyclus nassatus , Cylicostephanus longibursatus and Cyathostomum catinatum represent about 55% of the specimens in horses (Bellaw and Nielsen, 2020 ).…”

Moringa oleifera as a Natural Alternative for the Control of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Equines: A Review

“…Despite the benefits that plants provide, there are few studies that have been carried out on their use in the control of gastrointestinal parasites in monogastric animals, particularly in horses, as highlighted by Scantlebury et al [94]. In addition, the few studies carried out focus on parasites of the Strongylidae family, both in the cyathostominae and Strongylinae subfamilies, although the presence of cyathostominae is usually greater than strongylinae [95,96], as already mentioned above. In this sense, it has been reported that Alectryon oleifolius contains procyadinin A2, a compound that belongs to the group of condensed tannins and has demonstrated anthelmintic activity against cyathostomins in horses, since it is capable of completely inhibiting the development of these parasites from the egg to the third larval instar (L 3 ) at a concentration of 50 µg mL −1 , while at 25 µg mL −1 , it inhibits larval migration [97].…”