Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthiasis in Horses and Donkeys of Hawassa District, Southern Ethiopia

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Parasitic Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections of Donkeys in Southern Ethiopia

Gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites cause sickness and mortality in working donkeys, reducing their productivity. A cross-sectional study was done in the Damot Gale district of southern Ethiopia from November 2020 to June 2021 to determine the frequency of donkey GIT nematode parasite infection and to examine its related risk factors. Overall, 514 simple randomly selected donkeys from peasant associations were sampled for the coprological examination of gastrointestinal nematode infection. The flotation technique was employed to identify parasite eggs in feces. The total prevalence of parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes was 71.79% (95% CI: 67.73-75.52). The most prevalent nematodes were Strongyles (37.74%), Parascaris equorum (11.28%), Strongyloides (7.20%), and combined infections of Strongyles and Parascaris (14.01%) and Strongyles and Strongyloides (1.56%). The association between the prevalence of parasitic GIT nematode infections and body conditions score was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Comparatively, donkeys with semi-intensified systems were five times (OR = 5.36) and those with medium body condition were twice (OR = 1.94) had a higher risk of infection than donkeys with intensive systems and good body condition scores, respectively. In conclusion, the current study indicated that gastrointestinal nematode parasites of donkeys are highly prevalent in the study area. Thus, regular deworming, proper housing, and feeding management were recommended to improve the health and productivity of donkeys in the research area.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of parasitic infections in equids in Ethiopia

We performed this review to determine the weighted prevalence of equids parasitic infections in Ethiopia. Article searches on parasites of equids were conducted using PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Sciences, Scopus, AJOLs and Research Gate. A random effects model was used to estimate the weighted prevalence and to study heterogeneity. The primary searches generated, 3082 potential studies, of which 66 reports met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. There were 32 reports involving two or more equids species, eighteen on donkeys, and sixteen on horses. Moreover, fifty of the reports mentioned helminth infections in equids, thirteen on protozoans, and three on ectoparasites. The estimated weighted prevalence of parasitic infections in equids was 58.3% (95% CI 50.8-65.4%, I2 = 99%). Helminths were the most prevalent parasites in equids, accounting for 77.1% (95% CI 71.4%, 82%, I2 = 98.5%), followed by ectoparasites at 35.4% (95% CI 33.4-37.52%, I2 = 88.2%) and haemoparasites (protozoans) at 10.84% (95% CI 6.6%, 17.3%, I2 = 98.1%). Furthermore, with a prevalence of 82.3% (95% CI 75.9-87.3%, I2 = 97.4%), donkeys were the most affected equids with helminth parasites. From the reports, we found forty-three species of helminth parasites affecting equids, including thirty-four nematode species (Strongylus, Cyathostomum, Coronocyclus, Cylicocyclus, Cylicostephanus, Trichostrongylus, Oesophagodontus, Strongyloides, Triodontophorus, Gyalocephalus, Poteriostomum, Dictyocaulus, Oxyuris, Habronema, Draschia, Parascaris, Setaria, and Probstmayria species), three trematodes (two Fasciola and one Gastrodiscus species), three cestodes (two Anoplocephala and one Anoplocephaloides species) and three botfly larvae (one Rhinoestrus and two Gasterophilus species). Trypanosoma species (T. congolense, T. vivax, T. brucei, T. equiperdum, and T. evansi), piroplasms (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi), and Eimeria species have also been reported to affect equids. Ticks (Amblyomma variegatum, A. gemma, Rhipicephalus decoloratus, R. evertisi evertisi, R. pulchellus, R. muhsame, R. sanguineus, Hyalomma rufipes, and Hy. truncatum) and lice (Bovicola equi and Haematopinus asini) were the ectoparasites recorded to affect equids. The risk of publication bias across studies was likely to be high due to differences in publication year and diagnostic techniques. In conclusion, parasitic infections of equids are common in Ethiopia and are caused by a variety of parasite species, putting the performance and well-being of these packing animals at risk. Therefore, more research is needed to identify infection risk factors and raise awareness of the consequences of parasitism in order to provide strategies to mitigate the problems in equids.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-023-01598-3.

Prevalence of intestinal nematodes in equines with an assessment of the therapy using Albendazole and Doramectin.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2889716/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Background: Intestinal nematode parasites of equines have emerged as a pressing and urgent challenge due to their significant impact on the health and performance of these animals worldwide; therefore, implementing a deworming regimen has become vital to keeping a horse's parasite load at an acceptable level. Thus, the current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of nematodes infection , associated risk factors and evaluate the chemotherapeutic efficacy of different anthelmintic drugs by enrolling 195 fecal matter samples of working equines using flotation concentration techniques. Equines treatment were divided into four groups; Group 1 standard treatment (Albendazole orally), Group 2 intervention treatment (Doramectin injection), Group 3 intervention treatment (combination of Albendazole and Doramectin), and Group 4 was left untreated as a positive control. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal nematode parasites in working equines was 70.25%. The recovered nematodes were Strongylus species, with 87.17% followed by Parascaris equorum 30.76%, and Oxyuris equi was 12.82%. Concerning treatment efficacy, the highest cure rate was among Group 3 (77.14%), followed by Group 2 (68.57%) and Group 1 (40%), but the difference between Groups 2 and 3 is statistically insignificant. Interestingly, the effect of Doramectin injection is highly significant than other, especially for the reduction of Strongylus spp. and Parascaris equorum eggs according to Cohen's D test. Conclusions: Translating such a potent combination of drugs into endemic areas will provide significant support for deworming and control programs against intestinal parasites of equines, especially those in the migratory phase, more than Albendazole alone, which has poor absorption as it requires a full stomach during administration.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with donkey gastrointestinal parasites in Shashemane and Suburbs, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background

Gastrointestinal parasites are the cause of morbidity and mortality in working donkeys and reduce their working performance.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to July 2021 to assess gastrointestinal parasite infection in working donkeys in Shashemane and the surrounding district. A total of 395 donkeys were randomly sampled for the study, and an examination was conducted using faecal egg count and the Baermann technique.

Results

Out of the 395 sampled donkeys, different types of gastrointestinal parasites were identified. The parasites identified during the study were Strongyle spp. (100%), Oxyuris equi (10.1%), Parascaris equorum (23.8%), Fasciola spp. (0.3%), Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus (4.6%), Strongyloides westeri (47.8%) and Anoplocephala perfoliata (0.5%). Identification of L₃ larvae of GI parasites revealed that Cyathostomes spp. (96.2%), Strongylus vulgaris (92.9%), Trichostrongylus axei (90.4%), Strongylus edentatus (89.4%), and Dictyocaulus arnifieldi (49.6%) were the most prevalent. Infection with one species of helminth was more common (60.8%).

Conclusions

Thus, working donkeys in the present study area were infected with Strongyle spp. (100%), Strongyloides westeri (47.8%), Parascaris equorum (23.8%), Oxyuris equi (10.1%), Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus (4.6%), Anoplocephala perfoliata (0.5%) and Fasciola spp. (0.3%) parasites. Hence, comprehensive donkey health, management, and implementation of appropriate parasite control strategies should be implemented to alleviate these problems.

Study on Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Equines in and around Bekoji, South Eastern Ethiopia

Parasitic infections can cause a variety of respiratory, intestinal, and other problems in horses, as well as contribute to some performance issues. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in and around Bekoji, South Eastern Ethiopia, from November 2020 to June 2021 to identify species and evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys and horses, using direct fecal smear, floatation methods, and larval cultures. In this study, the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites was 94.5% (363 out of 384), with donkeys accounting for 95.8% and horses accounting for 90.5%. The coprological study indicated that an overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites was 87%, 8.3%, 2.5%, 1.4%, and 0.8% for mixed parasite infection, nonmigratory strongylids, migratory strongylids, Parascaris equorum, and Oxyuris equi, respectively. Among mixed infections, nonmigratory strongylids+migratory strongylids (51.5%) occurred most frequently. The odds of male horses being infected by GIT nematodes were 1.59 times higher than male donkeys. Horses which have poor body condition were 2.94 times more infected than donkeys. The odds of old-aged donkeys were 3.11 times more infected than horses. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes with species and body conditions of the animals. However, no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was seen in the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites between the sex and age of the Equidae. The mean fecal egg count of nematodes revealed that horses (1364.4 ± 483.5) had a more severe infection than donkeys with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The current study determined there was a high prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Equidae. Regular deworming, improved housing and nutrition management systems, increased animal owner awareness, and prevention techniques should all be undertaken to minimize the disease's economic burden in the area.

Evidence of Immune Modulators in the Secretome of the Equine Tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata

Anoplocephala perfoliata is a neglected gastro-intestinal tapeworm, commonly infecting horses worldwide. Molecular investigation of A. perfoliata is hampered by a lack of tools to better understand the host-parasite interface. This interface is likely influenced by parasite derived immune modulators released in the secretome as free proteins or components of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Therefore, adult RNA was sequenced and de novo assembled to generate the first A. perfoliata transcriptome. In addition, excretory secretory products (ESP) from adult A. perfoliata were collected and EVs isolated using size exclusion chromatography, prior to proteomic analysis of the EVs, the EV surface and EV depleted ESP. Transcriptome analysis revealed 454 sequences homologous to known helminth immune modulators including two novel Sigma class GSTs, five α-HSP90s, and three α-enolases with isoforms of all three observed within the proteomic analysis of the secretome. Furthermore, secretome proteomics identified common helminth proteins across each sample with known EV markers, such as annexins and tetraspanins, observed in EV fractions. Importantly, 49 of the 454 putative immune modulators were identified across the secretome proteomics contained within and on the surface of EVs in addition to those identified in free ESP. This work provides the molecular tools for A. perfoliata to reveal key players in the host-parasite interaction within the horse host.