Prevalence and pathogenicity of anoplocephala perfoliata in a horse population in South Auckland

Pathological changes caused by Anoplocephala perfoliata in the mucosa/submucosa and in the enteric nervous system of equine ileocecal junction

“…In fact, A. perfoliata has an indirect life-cycle which includes the ingestion by grazing of oribatid mites, and very heavy burdens are present at the end of the grazing period (Höglund et al, 1998) Previously, several workers described macroscopic and microscopic lesions at the ileocecal junction and in other sites of attachment of A. perfoliata (Pearson et al, 1993;Fogarty et al, 1994;Nilsson et al, 1995;Williamson et al, 1997). In our study, the gross mucosal lesions found in the ileocecal junction were similar to those described elsewhere (Bain and Kelly, 1977;Beroza et al, 1985;Pearson et al, 1993;Fogarty et al, 1994;Williamson et al, 1997) and only in two horses with heavy parasite burden was a prolapse of the terminal ileum into the lumen of the ileocecal junction observed.…”

Data on the prevalence of tapeworm infestations in horses in the Netherlands

“…We did not observe a difference in tapeworm infestation between the sexes. This is confirmed by others (2,4,15,16). Differences in prevalence in relation to age -younger animals being more affected than older ones -are suggested (8), but not confirmed by others (2,4,9,12,15,16,17).…”

“…This is confirmed by others (2,4,15,16). Differences in prevalence in relation to age -younger animals being more affected than older ones -are suggested (8), but not confirmed by others (2,4,9,12,15,16,17). It is generally believed that a mild infestation with A. pelfoliata does not harm the host, but there are a number of reports in which tapeworm infestations in horses and their numbers are related to intestinal disease or pathological changes in the intestinal tract (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 18 and 19).…”

“…The data seem to suggest a summer rise in tapeworm count, because in July, 3 of the 5 investigated horses were positive, but the numbers were too low to draw conclusions. Some authors observe or suggest a difference in prevalence during the year, with a peak in summer and autumn (8), others in winter (2,4,15), or no difference at all (9,16). In summer and autumn, infestations are thought to be higher due to the seasonality of the oribatid mite vector, but it has been shown that the degree of infestation does not appear to be influenced by the season or by the age, breed, or source of origin of the horses (9).…”

Serological changes observed in horses infected with Anoplocephala perfoliata after treatment with praziquantel and natural reinfection

“…Oribatid mites occur in high densities in uncultivated pastures (Bain and Kelly 1977) like that in this study. It is possible that the rate of decline in elisa od would be more rapid in horses that are stabled or placed on ‘clean’ pastures after a treatment for tapeworm infection.…”