Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Prevalence of helminths in horses in the state of Brandenburg, Germany

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of helminths in the horse population of the state of Brandenburg, Germany. One hundred and twenty-six horse farms in the state were selected by randomised stratified sampling. In total, 1,407 horses across all farms were examined coproscopically. The experimental unit was the horse farm: a farm was considered infected when at least one horse on the farm investigated was positive for helminth eggs. Animal details such as age, breed and sex were collected for all study horses and analysed for risk of infection. Risk was defined as horses having an above-average shedding of strongyle eggs. The following prevalence on horse farm level were established: Cyathostominae (98.4%), ascarids (16.7%), tapeworms (14.3%), pinworms (8.7%) and strongyloides (4,0%). The large strongyle Strongylus vulgaris was identified on only one farm. Liver flukes and lungworms were not found. Age, breed and sex were identified as risk factors for high shedding of strongyle eggs of individual animals: odds ratios for higher shedding intensities were 4.18 for yearlings and 2.42 for fillies compared to adult animals, and 3.69 for heavy breeds and 4.94 for wild horses compared to thoroughbreds. Mares and stallions did shed more strongyle eggs than geldings. Knowledge about the helminth prevalence will allow the issuance of specific treatment recommendations. Furthermore, the information on risk factors of individual horses will facilitate targeting single animals for selective treatments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Behrens T (2001) Bandwürmer (Anoplocephaliden) beim Pferd : Prävalenz in Norddeutschland sowie Eignung eines serologischen Nachweisverfahrens (ELISA) zur Diagnostik. Dissertation, Institute for Parsitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover

  • Boersema JH, Eysker M, Maas J, van der Aar WM (1996) Comparison of the reappearance of strongyle eggs on foals, yearlings and adult horses after treatment with ivermectin or pyrantel. Vet Q 18:7–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bucknell DG, Gasser RB, Beveridge I (1995) The prevalence and epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Victoria, Australia. Int J Parasitol 25:711–724

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cirak VY, Hermosilla C, Bauer C (1996) Study on the gastrointestinal parasite fauna of ponies in northern Germany. Appl Parasitol 37:239–244

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collobert-Laugier C, Hoste H, Sevin C, Dorchies P (2002) Prevalence, abundance and site distribution of equine small strongyles in Normandy, France. Vet Parasitol 110:77–83

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Craven J, Bjorn H, Henriksen SA, Nansen P, Larsen M, Lendal S (1998) Survey of anthelmintic resistance on Danish horse farms, using 5 different methods of calculating faecal egg count reduction. Equine Vet J 30:289–293

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dopfer D, Kerssens CM, Meijer YG, Boersema JH, Eysker M (2004) Shedding consistency of strongyle-type eggs in Dutch boarding horses. Vet Parasitol 124:249–258

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan JL, Love S (1991) Preliminary observations on an alternative strategy for the control of horse strongyles. Equine Vet J 23:226–228

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eysker M, Bakker J, van den Berg M, van Doorn DC, Ploeger HW (2008) The use of age-clustered pooled faecal samples for monitoring worm control in horses. Vet Parasitol 151:249–255

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fogarty U, del Piero F, Purnell RE, Mosurski KR (1994) Incidence of Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses examined at an Irisch abattoir. Vet Rec 134:515–518

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Francisco I, Arias M, Cortinas FJ, Francisco R, Mochales E, Sanchez JA, Uriarte J, Suarez JL, Morrondo P, Sanchez-Andrade R, Diez-Banos P, Paz-Silva A (2009) Silvopastoralism and autochthonous equine livestock: analysis of the infection by endoparasites. Vet Parasitol 164:357–362

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fritzen BM (2005) Untersuchungen zum Vorkommen von Anthelminthika-Resistenz in nordrhein-westfälischen Pferdebeständen. Dissertation, Institute for Parsitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover

  • Gawor JJ (1995) The prevalence and abundance of internal parasites in working horses autopsied in Poland. Vet Parasitol 58:99–108

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guiris AD, Rojas HN, Berovides AV, Sosa PJ, Perez EM, Cruz AE, Chavez HC, Moguel AJ, Jimenez-Coello M, Ortega-Pacheco A (2010) Biodiversity and distribution of helminths and protozoa in naturally infected horses from the biosphere reserve La Sierra Madre de Chiapas", Mexico. Vet Parasitol 170:268–277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herd RP (1990) Equine parasite control–problems associated with intensive anthelmintic therapy. Equine Vet Educ 2:41–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kania SA, Reinemeyer CR (2005) Anoplocephala perfoliata coproantigen detection: a preliminary study. Vet Parasitol 127:115–119

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kjaer LN, Lungholt MM, Nielsen MK, Olsen SN, Maddox-Hyttel C (2007) Interpretation of serum antibody response to Anoplocephala perfoliata in relation to parasite burden and faecal egg count. Equine Vet J 39:529–533

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kornas S, Skalska M, Nowosad B, Gawor J, Kharchenko V, Cabaret J (2009) Occurrence of strongyles (Strongylidae) in horses from small farms on the basis of necropsy. Pol J Vet Sci 12:225–230

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer A (2005) Validierung ausgewählter koproskopischer Untersuchungsmethoden zum direkten Nachweis parasitärer Stadien verschiedener Parasitenspezies der Haussäugetiere. Dissertation, Institute for Parsitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover

  • Krecek RC, Reinecke RK, Horak IG (1989) Internal parasites of horses on mixed grassveld and bushveld in Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. Vet Parasitol 34:135–143

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larsen MM, Lendal S, Chriel M, Olsen SN, Bjorn H (2002) Risk factors for high endoparasitic burden and the efficiency of a single anthelmintic treatment of Danish horses. Acta Vet Scand 43:99–106

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Love S, Murphy D, Mellor D (1999) Pathogenicity of cyathostome infection. Vet Parasitol 85:113–121

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyons ET, Tolliver SC (2004) Prevalence of parasite eggs (Strongyloides westeri, Parascaris equorum, and strongyles) and oocysts (Emeria leuckarti) in the feces of Thoroughbred foals on 14 farms in central Kentucky in 2003. Parasitol Res 92:400–404

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Collins SS (2006) Prevalence of large endoparasites at necropsy in horses infected with Population B small strongyles in a herd established in Kentucky in 1966. Parasitol Res 99:114–118

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin SW, Shoukri M, Thorburn MA (1992) Evaluating the health status of herds based on tests applied to individuals. Prev Vet Med 14:33–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matthee S, McGeoch MA (2004) Helminths in horses: use of selective treatment for the control of strongyles. J S Afr Vet Assoc 75:129–136

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meana A, Pato NF, Martin R, Mateos A, Perez-Garcia J, Luzon M (2005) Epidemiological studies on equine cestodes in central Spain: infection pattern and population dynamics. Vet Parasitol 130:233–240

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mfitilodze MW, Hutchinson GW (1990) Prevalence and abundance of equine strongyles (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) in tropical Australia. J Parasitol 76:487–494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monahan CM, Chapman MR, Taylor HW, French DD, Klei TR (1997) Foals raised on pasture with or without daily pyrantel tartrate feed additive: comparison of parasite burdens and host responses following experimental challenge with large and small strongyle larvae. Vet Parasitol 73:277–289

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan ER, Hetzel N, Povah C, Coles GC (2005) Prevalence and diagnosis of parasites of the stomach and small intestine in horses in south-west England. Vet Rec 156:597–600

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen MK, Monrad J, Olsen SN (2006) Prescription-only anthelmintics—a questionnaire survey of strategies for surveillance and control of equine strongyles in Denmark. Vet Parasitol 135:47–55

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson O, Ljungstrom BL, Hoglund J, Lundquist H, Uggla A (1995) Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses in Sweden: prevalence, infection levels and intestinal lesions. Acta Vet Scand 36:319–328

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Osterman Lind E, Hoglund J, Ljungstrom BL, Nilsson O, Uggla A (1999) A field survey on the distribution of strongyle infections of horses in Sweden and factors affecting faecal egg counts. Equine Vet J 31:68–72

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira JR, Vianna SS (2006) Gastrointestinal parasitic worms in equines in the Paraiba Valley, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 140:289–295

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Proudman CJ, Edwards GB (1992) Validation of a centrifugation/flotation technique for the diagnosis of equine cestodiasis. Vet Rec 131:71–72

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reinemeyer CR, Smith SA, Gabel AA, Herd RP (1984) The prevalence and intensity of internal parasites of horses in the U.S.A. Vet Parasitol 15:75–83

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rommel M, Eckert J, Kutzer E, Körting W, Schnieder T (2000) Veterinärmedizinische Parasitologie. Parey, Berlin

  • Salman MD (2003) Animal Disease Surveillance and Survey Systems: Methods and Applications. Blackwell, Iowa

  • Silva AV, Costa HM, Santos HA, Carvalho RO (1999) Cyathostominae (Nematoda) parasites of Equus caballus in some Brazilian states. Vet Parasitol 86:15–21

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tolliver SC, Lyons ET, Drudge JH (1987) Prevalence of internal parasites in horses in critical tests of activity of parasiticides over a 28-year period (1956–1983) in Kentucky. Vet Parasitol 23:273–284

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torbert BJ, Klei TR, Lichtenfels JR, Chapman MR (1986) A survey in Louisiana of intestinal helminths of ponies with little exposure to anthelmintics. J Parasitol 72:926–930

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Traversa D, Milillo P, Barnes H, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Schurmann S, Demeler J, Otranto D, Lia RP, Perrucci S, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Beraldo P, Amodie D, Rohn K, Cobb R, Boeckh A (2010) Distribution and species-specific occurrence of cyathostomins (Nematoda, Strongylida) in naturally infected horses from Italy, United Kingdom and Germany. Vet Parasitol 168:84–92

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trotz-Williams L, Physick-Sheard P, McFarlane H, Pearl DL, Martin SW, Peregrine AS (2008) Occurrence of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in horses in Ontario, Canada and associations with colic and management practices. Vet Parasitol 153:73–84

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Uhlinger C (1990) Effects of three anthelmintic schedules on the incidence of colic in horses. Equine Vet J 22:251–254

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uhlinger CA (2007) Evidence-based parasitology in horses. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 23:509–517

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warnick LD (1992) Daily variability of equine fecal strongyle egg counts. Cornell Vet 82:453–463

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wirtherle N, Schnieder T, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G (2004) Prevalence of benzimidazole resistance on horse farms in Germany. Vet Rec 154:39–41

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wirtherle NC (2003) Untersuchungen zur Verbreitung von Anthelminthikaresistenzen bei Pferden in Niedersachsen. Dissertation, Institute for Parsitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Barbara Hinney

    Present address: Department for Pathobiology, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14193, Berlin, Germany

    Barbara Hinney, Nicole Catherine Wirtherle & Peter-Henning Clausen

  2. International Animal Health, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14193, Berlin, Germany

    Moses Kyule, Norbert Miethe & Karl-Hans Zessin

Authors
  1. Barbara Hinney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nicole Catherine Wirtherle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Moses Kyule
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Norbert Miethe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Karl-Hans Zessin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Peter-Henning Clausen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barbara Hinney.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hinney, B., Wirtherle, N.C., Kyule, M. et al. Prevalence of helminths in horses in the state of Brandenburg, Germany. Parasitol Res 108, 1083–1091 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2362-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2362-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation