The epidemiology of equine strongylosis in southern Queensland. 2. The survival and migration of infective larvae on herbage

Understanding temporal and spatial distribution of intestinal nematodes of horses using faecal egg counts and DNA metabarcoding

This study reports the spatial and temporal distribution of ascarid and strongylid nematodes in Thoroughbred horses by age category across different climatic zones in Australia over an 18-month period. Faecal samples (n = 2046) from individual horses were analysed using the modified McMaster technique for faecal egg counts (FECs). Strongylids were identified using PCR-directed next-generation sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. Yearlings had the highest prevalence (82%) of strongyle eggs followed by weanlings (79%), foals (58%), wet mares (49%) and dry mares (46%). For Parascaris spp., foals had the highest prevalence (35%) followed by weanlings (21%) and yearlings (10%). The highest mean FECs for Parascaris spp. were observed in foals (525 eggs per gram [EPG] of faeces) while those for strongyles were in yearlings (962 EPG). Among horses that were classified as adults at the time of sampling, 77% (860 of 1119) of mares were low (i.e., <250 EPG) strongyle egg-shedders. Mean strongyle FEC counts were highest in the Mediterranean (818 EPG) followed by summer (599 EPG), winter (442 EPG), and non-seasonal (413 EPG) rainfall zones. Twenty-six nematode species were detected, with Cylicostephanus longibursatus (26.5%), Cylicocyclus nassatus (23.7%) and Coronocyclus coronatus (20.5%) being the most frequently detected species. Their richness and relative abundance varied with horse age, season and climatic zone. In addition, Strongylus equinus and Triodontophorus spp. (T. brevicauda and T. serratus) were also detected. This comprehensive study elucidates spatial (climatic zone) and temporal (i.e., seasonal) trends in prevalence and burdens of intestinal nematodes in Australian horses using non-invasive conventional and molecular methods. The information presented in this study is crucial for developing integrated management strategies to control horse parasites in farmed horses.

Equine helminth prevalence and management practices on Australian properties as shown by coprological survey and written questionnaire

Context Parasite control is an essential part of a broader equine health-management strategy and is often completely administered by the horse owner, with little or no supporting evidence on which to base decisions. Practical and sound advice relies on knowledge of the resident parasite species, the anthelmintic resistance status of important species, and the strategies currently being utilised by owners and managers of horses. Much of this farm-level information is lacking in the Australian literature. Aims The present study aimed to gather both farm- and horse-level prevalence data for four important equine helminth species and to gather information on the current worm-management practices conducted on Australian horse farms. Methods We conducted a coprological survey of cyathostomins, Strongylus vulgaris, Parascaris spp. and equine tapeworm on 102 horse properties, using a combination of classical and molecular parasitological methods, including a tapeworm polymerase chain reaction developed as part of the study. A questionnaire canvasing horse owners on internal parasite-control practices was also distributed. Key results Cyathostomin were present on all farms surveyed and S. vulgaris, despite being considered rare, was present on 7.8% (95% CI: 3.9–15.0) of farms. The prevalence of Parascaris spp. and equine tapeworm was 33.3% (95% CI: 19.6–50.6) and 3.9% (95% CI: 1.5–10.1) respectively. Questionnaire responses showed that the majority (85.0%) of horse owners administer anthelmintics at regular intervals of 12 weeks or less, and only 2.6% utilise faecal egg counts to inform treatment decisions. Conclusions Prevalence data confirmed the endemic nature of cyathostomin and P. equorum infections, as well as low levels of tapeworm and S. vulgaris infections on Australian horse farms. Worm-management practices were reminiscent of traditional interval-style treatment regimens that rely heavily on macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics. Implications These results suggest a need for more strategic approaches to internal-parasite control in horses to slow the development of anthelmintic resistance. Such programs need to consider the risk of re-establishment of the pathogenic S. vulgaris in significant numbers.

Systematic review of gastrointestinal nematodes of horses from Australia

Background

Equine gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) have been the subject of intermittent studies in Australia over the past few decades. However, comprehensive information on the epidemiology of equine GINs, the efficacy of available anthelmintic drugs and the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in Australasia is lacking. Herein, we have systematically reviewed existing knowledge on the horse GINs recorded in Australia, and main aspects of their pathogeneses, epidemiology, diagnoses, treatment and control.

Methods

Six electronic databases were searched for publications on GINs of Australian horses that met our inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Subsets of publications were subjected to review epidemiology, diagnoses, pathogeneses, treatment and control of GINs of horses from Australia.

Results

A total of 51 articles published between 1950 to 2018 were included. The main GINs reported in Australian horses were cyathostomins (at least 28 species), Draschia megastoma, Habronema muscae, H. majus, Oxyuris equi, Parascaris equorum, Strongyloides westeri and Trichostrongylus axei across different climatic regions of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. Nematodes are diagnosed based on the traditional McMaster egg counting technique, though molecular markers to characterise common GINs of equines were characterised in 1990s. The use of anthelmintic drugs remains the most widely-used strategy for controlling equine GIN parasites in Australia; however, the threshold of faecal egg count that should trigger treatment in horses, remains controversial. Furthermore, anthelmintic resistance within GIN population of horses is becoming a common problem in Australia.

Conclusions

Although GINs infecting Australian horses have been the subject of occasional studies over the past few decades, the effective control of GIN infections is hampered by a generalised lack of knowledge in various disciplines of equine parasitology. Therefore, coordinated and focused research is required to fill our knowledge gaps in these areas to maximise equine health and minimise economic losses associated with the parasitic infections in Australia.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3445-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Seasonal dynamics of cyathostomin (Nematoda - Cyathostominae) infective larvae in Brachiaria humidicola grass in tropical southeast Brazil

The ecology of cyathostomin larvae was evaluated in different seasons, from July 2007 to June 2008, in the municipality of Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. Samples of feces and grass were collected every 15 days at 8 AM and 5 PM and the infective larvae were recovered by the Baermann technique. Leaves of the grass Brachiaria humidicola were cut to 20 cm, which is the length containing most of the larvae. The highest number of larvae was recorded at 8 AM the winter (8300 L(3)kg(-1)dm) and spring (5300 L(3)kg(-1)dm). These results demonstrate that climate conditions can affect the recovery of larvae and that rain and temperature contributed to the migration and survival of the larvae, which were available throughout the year in the study area.

Climatic influences on development and survival of free-living stages of equine strongyles: implications for worm control strategies and managing anthelmintic resistance

Development of resistance to anthelmintic drugs by horse strongyles constitutes a growing threat to equine health because it is unknown when new drug classes can be expected on the market. Consequently, parasite control strategies should attempt to maintain drug efficacy for as long as possible. The proportion of a parasite population that is not exposed to anthelmintic treatment is described as being "in refugia" and although many factors affect the rate at which resistance develops, levels of refugia are considered the most important as these parasites are not selected by treatment and so provide a pool of sensitive genes in the population. Accordingly, treatment should be avoided when pasture refugia are small because such treatments will place significant selection pressure for resistance on worm populations. Given this new paradigm for parasite control, it has become important to identify seasons and circumstances wherein refugia are diminished. Free-living stages of equine strongyles are highly dependent on climatic influences, and this review summarises studies of strongyle development and survival under laboratory and field conditions in Northern (cool) temperate, Southern (warm) temperate and subtropical/tropical climates. In Northern temperate climates, refugia are smallest during the winter. In contrast, refugia are lowest during the summer in warm temperate and subtropical/tropical climates. Although adverse seasonal changes clearly have significant effects on the ability of free living stages of strongyle nematode parasites to survive and develop, available data suggest that climatic influences cannot effectively "clean" pastures from one grazing season to the next.

Efficacy of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans in reducing equine cyathostome larvae on pasture in south Louisiana

The effectiveness of Duddingtonia flagrans in reducing the free living third stage larvae (L(3)) of equine cyathostomes on pasture when fed to horses has been demonstrated in cold temperate climates. The objective of this experiment was to assess the efficacy of D. flagrans against equine cyathostomes in the subtropical environment of southern Louisiana. Fecal pats were prepared by mixing feces obtained from a parasite-free horse fed D. flagrans at a dose of approximately 2 x 10(6) spores kg(-1), with feces containing cyathostome eggs from a parasitized horse. Control pats contained feces from a parasite-free horse mixed with feces containing cyathostome eggs. The fecal pats were placed on pasture in six replicates at 4-week intervals from March 1997 until January 1998. Comparison of recoveries of L(3) from non-treated control pats in the field with non-treated coprocultures maintained in the laboratory indicated that L(3) survival on pasture was reduced during the months of May, June, July, August and September. The efficacy of the fungus was determined by L(3) recovery from grass surrounding the fecal pats of treated and control groups. D. flagrans significantly reduced L(3) during the months of April, May, and October 1997 to January 1998 (range 66-99% reduction, p=0.0001), and for the year as a whole (p=0.0001).

Seasonal development and survival of equine cyathostome larvae on pasture in south Louisiana

Cyathostome development and survival on pasture in subtropical climates of the US have yet to be completely defined and available data on seasonal transmission are minimal. In an attempt to study this phenomenon, a group of pony mares and their foals was maintained on a naturally contaminated pasture in southern Louisiana. Fecal egg counts (FEC) and numbers of infective third stage larvae (L3) kg(-1) dry herbage were recorded biweekly during two time periods, from January 1986 through December 1988, and September 1996 through October 1997. A FEC rise occurred during the late summer-early autumn which preceded the peak of L3 on pasture during the winter season. The numbers of cyathostome L3 were reduced during the hottest months of the year due mainly to daily minimum temperatures above 18 degrees C, and in winter during short freezing spells when daily minimum temperatures dropped below 0 degrees C. Tilling of the pasture reduced the number of cyathostome L3 during the early winter months but this is an efficacious measure only if horses are given an effective anthelmintic treatment prior to being returned to pasture. The data collected suggest that parasite reduction in southern Louisiana is possible using a treatment program with treatment beginning at the end of September and continuing through the end of March.

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.

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.

Seasonal translation of equine strongyle infective larvae to herbage in tropical Australia

Longevity in faeces, migration to and survival on herbage of mixed strongyle infective larvae (approximately 70% cyathostomes: 30% large strongyles) from experimentally deposited horse faeces was studied in the dry tropical region of North Queensland for up to 2 years. Larvae were recovered from faeces deposited during hot dry weather for a maximum of 12 weeks, up to 32 weeks in cool conditions, but less than 8 weeks in hot wet summer. Translation to herbage was mainly limited to the hot wet season (December-March), except when unseasonal winter rainfall of 40-50 mm per month in July and August allowed some additional migration. Survival on pasture was estimated at 2-4 weeks in the summer wet season and 8-12 weeks in the autumn-winter dry season (April-August). Hot dry spring weather (pre-wet season) was the most unfavourable for larval development, migration and survival. Peak counts of up to 60,000 larvae kg-1 dry herbage were recorded. The seasonal nature of pasture contamination allowed the development of rational anthelmintic control programs based on larval ecology.

Factors affecting the survival and migration of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematode parasites of cattle in central Queensland

Faecal pats containing parasitic nematode eggs were deposited monthly on worm-free pasture, from mid-1975 to early in 1979, near Rockhampton in central Queensland. Pasture samples were collected monthly from beside these pats and the number of infective larvae on the samples was counted. Cooperia spp. were the most numerous larvae on pasture all year round and Haemonchus placei were commonly present in low numbers. Small numbers of Oesophagostomum radiatum larvae were found, mostly during summer. Dung beetle activity and rainfall influenced larval populations on pasture, but temperature did not. Beetles were not active in winter, and pats deposited in spring, summer and autumn when beetles were active yielded only 42, 44 and 26%, respectively, as many larvae per 1000 eggs deposited as winter pats. Pats in which beetle activity was minimal (feeding only), moderate and intense (complete destruction), yielded 43, 10 and 6%, respectively, as many larvae per 1000 eggs as intact pats. Larval densities on pasture were highest after the first saturating rains during the spring-summer period and most of these larvae migrated from unattacked pats deposited in winter. Beetle numbers and activity increased with the summer rains and so few larvae were available to migrate onto pasture during late summer and autumn when the highest falls of rain were recorded. The regression of larval recovery on rainfall was positive and statistically significant when data collected soon after these very heavy rainfall periods were omitted from the analysis. In 1977, drought-breaking rains increased the normal larval density on pasture 10-fold because larvae in pats deposited in the last 4 months of the drought migrated onto pasture immediately after the rains. This work suggests that in summer rainfall areas where dung beetles are active, helminth control may be achieved by reducing the worm egg output from cattle during the winter.

The grazing behaviour of cattle in relation to the sampling of infective nematode larvae on pasture

A method of sampling pasture to estimate the numbers of infective nematode larvae to which grazing cattle were exposed was based on the grazing patterns and behavioural activities of two groups of cattle and was compared with other sampling techniques. Each group of cattle consisted of six permanent members, two members fistulated at the oesophagus and one worm-free tracer calf. Grazing time and the area where grazing occurred was not significantly different for tracer calves, fistulated cattle and permanent group members, and there was no relationship between grazing time and the live weight of cattle. Grazing time, the percentage of paddock area grazed intensively and the percentage of the paddock not grazed varied with season. The most intensively grazed areas were always visited between first light and the first rest period during mid-morning, and the plant parts and pasture species eaten could easily be identified by visual examination of these areas of the paddock. Larval recoveries per 100 g pasture ingested were estimated for comparison with the grazing area method using two other manual pasture sampling methods, a sampling method using tracer calves and one using fistulated calves. Correlations between these methods were not consistent but indicated that, given the small number of data sets, all methods were sensitive enough to estimate larval availability on pasture with the exception of the tracer calf method in the overstocked 3.4-ha paddock.

Observations on equine strongyle control in southern temperate USA

A program of rotational anthelmintic treatments at eight-week intervals had failed to provide satisfactory equine strongyle control at a stable in southern USA. Anthelmintic resistance had rendered benzimidazoles ineffective, and intervals between treatments with other drugs were too great to prevent environmental contamination with ova. Ivermectin treatments at eight week intervals or pyrantel pamoate treatments at four week intervals successfully reduced egg counts for the majority of the summer grazing period. In southern temperate USA, translation of strongyle ova to larvae was most efficient during autumn and winter. Minimal larval translation occurred during summer when meteorological conditions limited pasture infectivity as effectively as anthelmintic treatments.

Development and survival of free-living stages of equine strongyles under laboratory conditions

In a series of laboratory studies the optimum conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of strongyle parasites occurring in horses in tropical north Queensland were determined. No differences in behaviour were noted between the strongyle species. Development to the infective stage occurred only between 10 and 35 degrees C. The rate was affected by temperature, taking 15-24 days and 3 days, respectively, at the lowest and highest temperatures for the developing stages to reach the infective third stage. Yields of infective larvae were very low outside the range 20-33 degrees C, and were highest at 28 degrees C. Survival of infective larvae was good between 20 and 33 degrees C, and large numbers were recovered after 3 months in faeces incubated at 20-28 degrees C. At 33 and 37 degrees C larval survival was affected by the moisture content of the faeces, with infective larvae surviving better in dry than in moist faeces; even a residual moisture level of 40% significantly reduced the number of larvae recovered from faeces incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 month. Moisture also affected larval development, especially at the higher temperatures of 25-39 degrees C. When faecal moisture content fell to less than or equal to 20% by 3 days, larvae which had not yet reached the infective stage were still pre-infective at 7 days, while all larvae in faeces with adequate moisture had reached the infective third stage. It was not possible to determine the critical faecal moisture level below which larval development ceased, however, 28 degrees C (range 25-33 degrees C) was found to be the optimum temperature. Larval development was very rapid and yields of infective larvae highest at this temperature.

Small strongyles. Recent advances

The recent increased interest in cyathostomes can be traced to simplification of their taxonomy, improved knowledge of pathogenicity, and failures of practical control due to anthelmintic resistance. Cyathostome ova develop to infective third-stage larvae (L3) at a rate that is directly proportional to environmental temperature. Equine feces serve as a reservoir for L3, which are liberated by moderate amounts of rainfall. Third-stage larvae persist for longer periods at low temperatures, easily surviving over-winter on pastures to provide a source of infection during the following grazing season. Third-stage larvae exsheath within the host and enter the mucosa and submucosa of the cecum and large colon. Larvae develop within mucosal cysts, molt to the fourth stage, and may persist within the tissues for up to 2 1/2 years. Larvae ultimately emerge from the mucosa to become adults in the lumen. Adult populations are replenished by recently ingested larvae and by immature worms newly emerged from arrested development. The magnitude of larval and adult populations within the host displays seasonal variations, with peak numbers occurring in early spring and autumn in the United States. In typical natural infections, a small number of species comprise the majority of the cyathostome populations. Cyathostome infection may result in anorexia, weight loss, diarrhea, colic, and death. Cyathostome ova are easily detected in feces, but ova may not be present during larval cyathostomiasis. Increased concentrations of beta-globulins, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, and leukocytosis occur inconsistently. Two major problems in the treatment of cyathostome infections are anthelmintic resistance and the insusceptibility of encysted larvae to recommended dosages of most anthelmintics. The major goal of cyathostome control is prevention of environmental contamination with nematode ova. Host resistance appears to protect against cyathostome disease rather than cyathostome infection, and one manifestation of this resistance appears to be prolongation of the prepatent period.

Epidemiology and control of parasites in warm climates

The kind of parasites a horse acquires depends upon its environment. Because patterns of transmission vary greatly with climate and management, no one worming program has universal applications. This article discusses epidemiology and control of equine parasites in the southern United States, where climates vary from warm temperate to subtropical and from humid in the southeast to arid in the southwest.

Integrated control of Strongylus vulgaris infection in horses using ivermectin

An attempt was made to control or eliminate Strongylus vulgaris from a closed group of three horses at pasture near Perth, Western Australia, by dosing with ivermectin on four occasions during the time of year when it was believed that environmental conditions would eliminate all the non-parasitic stages of that species. At necropsy, five months after the last dose of anthelmintic and after continually grazing the same pastures, no S vulgaris or arterial lesions were found in those horses and S edentatus, Draschia megastoma and Habronema species were also almost completely eliminated.

The distribution of trichostrongyle infective larvae on pasture and grazing behaviour in calves

The distribution of trichostrongyle infective larvae was investigated at three different times during the grazing season on a calf pasture in a district in the west of France. The grass was collected around the dated pats in several successive rings measured every 10 cm, and the larvae were extracted. The larval population was higher on August 20 than on June 10 or October 7. The main species were Ostertagia in June and October, Cooperia in August. Migrations were correlated with pat ageing for the two species; Ostertagia larvae migrated further than Cooperia ones. The distance of the calves' grazing location from the nearest refusal was observed at the same time. In August and October, one third of the observed grazing locations were upon the refusals, where larval density was maximum. Pat density and stocking rate increased during the grazing season, grass availability decreased, refusal area decreased after the August maximum. The observations give a better understanding of animal infection and are of great help for the interpretation of numbers of larvae near to and away from the pats.

Resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics in equine strongyles. 1. Frequency, geographical distribution and relationship between occurrence, animal husbandry procedures and anthelmintic usage

A survey was conducted to determine whether benzimidazole resistant populations of equine strongyles are present in New South Wales and north central Victoria; what is their frequency and geographical distribution; which species are involved; and whether different methods of parasite control could be related to the occurrence and frequency of anthelmintic resistant populations. Resistant populations of strongyles were found over wide areas of New South Wales and in north central Victoria. There was no relationship between geographical location and the occurrence of benzimidazole resistance. The species involved were small strongyles of the sub-family Cyathostominae. There was a direct correlation between the occurrence of resistance (including the level at which it is present) and the frequency of use of benzimidazole anthelmintics. Examination of management practices showed that resistance is not an important problem on farms where different chemical classes of anthelmintics were used in a slow rotation programme; combination anthelmintic therapy (for example, benzimidazole/piperazine/organophosphates) was used and anthelmintic treatment was given at intervals of not less than 16 weeks. Tentative suggestions are made for the control of small strongyles in the light of an emerging resistance problem.