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PubMed1990

Prevalence and abundance of equine strongyles (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) in tropical Australia.

A postmortem survey of 57 horses in tropical northern Queensland revealed 41 (89%) infected with intestinal strongyles. Thirty-five strongyle species (8 large strongyles and 27 small strongyles [Cyathostominae]) were recorded of which 9 species are reported from Australia for the first time. The 14 most prevalent small strongyles were Cyathostomum catinatum (in 76% of horses), Cyathostomum coronatum (65%), Cyathostomum pateratum (33%), Cyathostomum labiatum (30%), Cylicostephanus calicatus (70%), Cylicostephanus longibursatus (67%), Cylicostephanus goldi (43%), Cylicostephanus minutus (26%), Cylicocylus nassatus (67%), Cylicocyclus leptostomus (41%), Cylicocylus insigne (41%), Cylicocyclus radiatus (33%), Cylicocyclus brevicapsulates (22%), and Poteriostomum imperidentum (24%). The remaining cyathostomes were each found in less than 15% of horses. The 4 most common large strongyles were Triodontophorus serratus (30%), Strongylus vulgaris (28%), Strongylus equinus, and Strongylus edentatus (both 22%). The number of species of small strongyles per horse showed a marked variation (mean 10.3, range 2-21) but bore no relationship to either the total number of strongyles per horse, age, sex, and breed of horse, or season. Total number of strongyles per horse (mean 15,890, range 20-165,000) was less than in recent surveys in Europe and the U.S.A. Most horses had low worm burdens, whereas a very small number were heavily infected. Ninety-seven per cent of the total strongyle counts were small strongyles. Strongylus species contributed just over 1%. Small numbers of large strongyles per horse were usual with T. serratus (mean 570), S. vulgaris (mean 330), and S. equinus (mean 330) the most numerous.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Internal parasites of horses on mixed grassveld and bushveld in Transvaal, Republic of South Africa.

Between 1980 and 1982, the gastrointestinal tracts of 17 horses which had been grazing on mixed grassveld at Potchefstroom and bushveld at Onderstepoort in the province of Transvaal, Republic of South Africa, were examined at necropsy and processed for parasite recovery. The large strongyles and their prevalences were as follows: Strongylus vulgaris and associated lesions (88-94%), Strongylus edentatus (24%), Strongylus equinus (30%), Triodontophorus nipponicus (35%) and Craterostomum acuticaudatum (18%). The seven most prevalent and abundant cyathostomes collected were Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicostephanus minutus and Cyathostomum coronatum. Gasterophilus intestinalis was the most prevalent and abundant botfly larva recovered. Most of the cyathostome larvae and adults were present during all seasons except winter. The distribution of cyathostome species in the large intestine of the host is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

In vitro culture of equine strongylidae to the fourth larval stage in a cell-free medium.

An efficient and reliable method is described for the culture of equine strongyles from the third (L3) to the fourth (L4) larval stage. Medium consists of 50% fetal calf serum and 50% NCTC with additions of L-glutamine, NaHCO3, yeast extract, bactopeptone, and dextrose. The gas phase used is of prime importance; it is a mixture of 10% CO2, 5% O2, and 85% N2. Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus, Strongylus equinus, Triodontophorus brevicauda, Triodontophorus serratus, Triodontophorus tenuicollis, Oesophagodontus robustus, Cylicocyclus insigne, and mixed species of cyathostomes were cultured to the L4 stage. Oesophagodontus robustus was cultured to the fifth larval stage. Depending on species, 44-95% of Strongylinae L3 inoculated into this system molted to L4. Although some development of the Cyathostominae L3 occurred, only a small portion (1%) completed ecdysis to L4. Viability in cultures of all species remained high (> 60-70% larvae surviving) for at least 4 wk (cyathostomes) and as long as 6 mo (S. edentatus). The addition of equine hemin to cultures of S. vulgaris and O. robustus L4 enhanced development and prolonged viability of these larvae. Hemin had no effect on cultures of S. edentatus or S. equinus, and it was not tested in cultures of other species.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of early season ivermectin and pyrantel treatments on strongylid infections in young Shetland ponies in The Netherlands.

Two groups of three ponies were used to study the effect of three ivermectin or pyrantel treatments given at intervals of 5 weeks at the beginning of the grazing season. Although each pyrantel treatment resulted in a greater than 95% reduction in faecal egg counts during the first 3 weeks, high pasture larval counts were seen from the beginning of August onwards and substantial cyathostomine burdens were found at necropsy in December. The ivermectin treatments resulted in an even more pronounced reduction in faecal egg output, and the pasture larval counts and cyathostomine burdens at necropsy were considerably lower than in the pyrantel group. The proportion of inhibited early L3 of the cyathostomines was lower in the ivermectin than in the pyrantel group. Faecal egg output of the large strongyles was completely suppressed in the ivermectin group. Nevertheless, Strongylus vulgaris larvae were found in the arteries of all three ponies, possibly as a result of overwintering of infective larvae on pasture. In the pyrantel group, the egg output of Strongylus edentatus and, to a much lesser extent, Strongylus vulgaris, was not completely suppressed.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiology of flea infestation of ruminants in Libya.

The results of an epidemiological and clinical study of flea infestations of farm animals in northern Libya is reported. Of 12,130 sheep examined from 124 flocks, 150 sheep were found to be infested with fleas from 50 different flocks. Likewise 23 goats from 2981 examined, and 11 calves from 1124 cattle examined were infested No fleas were recovered from camels or horses. Of 1861 fleas recovered from farm livestock, 1857 were Ctenocephalides felis strongylus and 4 were Pulex irritans. Dogs from farms and local clinics were also examined. Eight farms dogs were found to be infested with P. irritans. Of 79 infested dogs examined in veterinary clinics, 53 were found infested with P. irritans, 11 with Ctenocephalides felis felis, 12 had a mixed infestation of P. irritans and C. felis felis. Single dogs had mixed infestation of P. irritans and C. canis; C. felis felis and C. canis; and P. irritans, C. felis felis and Echidnophaga gallinacia. C. felis felis was also found on 15 infested cats. C. felis felis was never found on large farm animals despite frequently sharing their environment with dogs or cats. Likewise C. felis stongylus was never isolated from dogs or cats. This is consistent with the hypothesis that C. felis strongylus has become adapted to large farm animals, whilst C. felis felis is better adapted to dogs and cats. However, four stockmen were found infested with a total of 176 C. felis strongylus, which suggests that this subspecies is also a potential zoonosis. A significantly higher proportion of intensive farms had animals with flea infestation compared to semi-intensive farms. Fleas were not found in nomadic herds. Infested farm animals often presented with excoriation, alopecia, pruritus and hyperkeratitis particularly on the lower limbs. These signs are consistent with the generation of flea-bite hypersensitivity.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1999

Parasite diversity and anthelmintic resistance in two herds of horses.

Diversity of parasite populations was compared between two herds of horses, one a regularly treated herd the other a feral herd which has bad no anthelmintic treatment for at least 25 years. Eggs obtained from fecal samples of both herds were tested for anthelmintic resistance by use of an in-vitro larval hatch/development assay (LDA), DrenchRite. A fecal egg reduction test was also performed with the domesticated herd using fenbendazole, pyrantel pamoate and ivermectin. Cyathostomes were the predominant group of worms present in both herds. Trichostrongylus axei was seen in both herds, but Strongylus equinus, Strongylus vulgaris, Gyalocephalus capitatus, Poteriostomum spp. and Strongyloides westeri were only found in the feral horses. Larvae of Strongylus edentatus were found in a single domesticated horse. Fecal egg reduction tests with the domesticated herd showed a 32% egg count reduction for fenbendazole, a 93% reduction with pyrantel, and a 99% reduction with ivermectin. From the LDA, anthelmintic resistance was evaluated by determining the resistance ratio of the domesticated herd compared with the feral herd. For benzimidazoles in the domesticated herd, 45% of the cyathostome population was 9.4 times more tolerant than the feral herd's parasite population. The parasite population in the domesticated herd was 1.5 times more tolerant to Levamisole, and 1.7 times more tolerant to the benzimidazole/levamisole combination than the parasite population within the feral herd. 9% of the parasite population in the domesticated herd was 90 times more tolerant to avermectins than the feral herd's parasite population, even though a subpopulation of worms in the feral herd were tolerant to low concentrations of avermectins despite never being previously exposed to this class of anthelmintic.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Parasitic helminths of the cecum and colon of equidae in Italy].

Intestinal helminths from coecum and colon were studied in 93 equidae including 40 horses, 36 donkeys and 17 mules. A total of 38 species, 36 nematodes and 2 cestodes, were identified as follows: 1) Triodontophorus serratus, 2) Triodontophorus brevicauda, 3) Strongylus equinus, 4) Strongylus edentatus, 5) Strongylus vulgaris, 6) Cyathostomum tetracanthum, 7) Cyathostomum coronatum, 8) Cyathostomum labiatum, 9) Cyathostomum labratum, 10) Cyathostomum alveatum, 11) Cyathostomum pateratum, 12) Cyathostomum catinatum, 13) Cyathostomum sagittatum, 14) Cylicodontophorus bicoronatus, 15) Cylicocyclus radiatus, 16) Cylicocyclus auriculatus, 17) Cylicocyclus elongatus, 18) Cylicocyclus nassatus, 19) Cylicocyclus insigne, 20) Cylicocyclus leptostomus, 21) Cylicostephanus calicatus, 22) Cylicostephanus poculatus, 23) Cylicostephanus minutus, 24) Cylicostephanus longibursatus, 25) Cylicostephanus hybridus, 26) Cylicostephanus goldi, 27) Cylicostephanus ornatus, 28) Cylicostephanus skrjabini, 29) Poteriostomum ratzii, 30) Gyalocephalus capitatus, 31) Parascaris equorum*, 32) Probstmayria vivipara, 33) Draschia megastoma*, 34) Habronema muscae*, 35) Habronema majus*, 36) Setaria equina*, 37) Anoplocephala perfoliata, 38) Paranoplocephala mamillana. The asterisked species are those not usually localized in the examined material. The most frequent parasites were found in all three hosts. Species 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 21, 22, 30 and 35 showed significant differences in prevalence between horses and donkeys, the mule generally having intermediate values. Multiple infections and total worm burden appear to decrease in older animals (> 15 years). Parasite associations occur mostly at random as expected from the values of the respective total prevalences. Some significant excesses on expected values were recorded but not significant deficits. The total worm burden increases with the number of parasite species and the increase appears to follow an exponential pattern.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Critical anthelmintic trials in ponies with oxfendazole and caviphos and concomitant studies on the spontaneous elimination of small strongylids.

The efficacy of the benzimidazole, oxfendazole, and the organophosphate, caviphos, against gastrointestinal parasites of ponies was evaluated by the critcial test method. Oxfendazole (10 mg/kg of body weight) given in single oral doses was 100% effective against adult large strongylids (Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus, and Strongylus equinus), 99% effective against adult small strongylids, and 97% effective against 4th-stage small strongylids (genera identified in order of frequency: Cylicostephanus, Cyathostomum, Cylicocyclus, Triodontophorus, Poteriostomum, Oesophagodontus, Cylicodontophorus, Gyalocephalus, and Craterostomum). Caviphos (40 mg/kg of body weight) admixed in the grain ration (horse crunch) was 89% effective against adult large strongylids (S vulgaris and S edentatus) and 99% effective against adult small strongylids (genera identified earlier in order of frequency above), but only 35% effective against 4th-stage small strongylids. Both drugs were effective (100%) against adult and immature pinworms (Oxyuris equi) but ineffective against Habronema spp and Draschia megastoma. Oxfendazole was only 11% effective against stomach bots (Gasterophilus spp); caviphos was 73% effective against these species. During a three-day pretreatment interval, about 34% of the total population of small strongylids was lost spontaneously from the 29 ponies.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Critical tests of the antiparasitic activity of thiabendazole and trichlorfon sequentially administered to horses via stomach tube.

Thirteen critical tests were conducted in horses naturally infected with helminths and bots. Single doses of thiabendazole (44 mg/kg of body weight) and trichlorfon (40 mg/kg of body weight) powder formulations were administered as suspensions sequentially given via stomach tube to evaluate the efficacy of the combination against the large parasites of horses. Parasite removal efficacies were 100% against 2nd instar Gasterophilus intestinalis and 2nd and 3rd instar Gasterophilus nasalis and 82 to 100% against 3rd instar G intestinals. There were complete removals of mature and immature Parascaris equorum and mature Oxyuris equi. Removal efficacies against Strongylus vulgaris were 89 to 100% and against Strongylus edentatus, 82 to 100%. Of 2 horses infected with Strongylus equinus, removals were 72 and 100%. Seven of the 13 horses treated had transient, semi-liquid feces during the posttreatment hours 1 through 24.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Occurrence of Gasterophilus intestinalis and some parasitic nematodes of horses in Sweden.

A survey was performed on the occurrence of some internal parasites in 461 horses (1-30 years old) slaughtered from October 1992 to September 1993 at the Linköping abattoir in central Sweden. Macroscopical examination was carried out specifically for parasites of the tear ducts and conjunctival sacs of the eyes, and of selected parts of the alimentary tract and cardio-vascular system. The following parasites were found in selected parts of the large intestine: encapsulated cyathostome larvae (in 35.6% of the horses), and mature strongyle worms (17.4%); in the stomach: Gasterophilus intestinalis (12.3% during October-June) and Habronema muscae (1.1%); and in the conjunctival sac: Thelazia lacrymalis (3.1%). Significantly more encapsulated cyathostome larvae were found during January to June than during other times of the year, and horses aged 1-5 years harboured significantly more larvae than older horses. Severe damage to the cranial mesenteric artery and its main branches was noticed in 16 (6.1%) out of 263 horses specifically examined. However, the 4th stage larva of Strongylus vulgaris was only recovered in 6 (2.3%) of the horses. Quantitative and qualitative faecal egg counts were done on 412 and 384 of the horses, respectively. Eggs of strongyles, Parascaris equorum and Strongyloides westeri were found in 78.1%, 1.9% and 0.2% of the faecal samples, respectively. Highest prevalence of strongyle eggs was found during July to September. Third stage larvae of the following nematodes were recovered from faecal cultures: subfamily Cyathostomum sensu lato (78.1%) Triodontophorus spp. (6.5%), Strongylus vulgaris (3.6%), Trichostrongylus axei (1.3%), while Gyalocephalus sp., Oesophagodontus sp., Poteriostomum sp. and Strongylus edentatus each comprised less than 0.5%.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1976

Critical tests of anthelmintic activity of a paste formulation of thiabendazole in horses.

Critical tests of the activity on large strongyles, ascarids, mature pinworms, and bots were carried out in 11 horses intraorally treated with a paste formulation of thiabendazole. The dose level of 44 mg/kg was administered to 3 horses, and the dose level of 88 mg/kg to 8 horses. Removals of Strongylus vulgaris and mature Oxyuris equi were 100% at the 2 dose levels, and efficacy against Strongylus edentatus varied from 95 to 99% and 89 to 100% for the 44- and the 88-mg/kg dose levels, respectively. Strongylus equinus was completely removed from the 1 infected horse treated at the dose level of 88 mg/kg. Activity of the smaller dose against Parascaris equorum was 46%, and that of the larger dose varied from 32 to 100%. The drug was inactive on Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

Gastro-intestinal helminths of donkeys in Burkina Faso.

Thirty adult donkeys from Burkina Faso were necropsied and their gastro-intestinal worm burdens counted and determined. The strongylids were the most abundant species with a prevalence of 100% for Strongylus vulgaris. Four species of Strongylus, two of Triodontophorus and six of the Cyathostominae were recovered. All of the animals were also infested with habronematid nematodes, but oxyurid and ascaridid nematodes were found in low numbers. In addition to the nematodes, the paramphistomid trematode Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus and the anoplocephalid cestode Anoplocephala magna occurred in varying numbers. Faecal egg-counts from 131 donkeys ranged between 100 and 9,200 for strongylid eggs.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of large endoparasites at necropsy in horses infected with Population B small strongyles in a herd established in Kentucky in 1966.

Two closed horse herds (Old Lot 4 and Field 24), infected since 1966 with Population B small strongyles resistant to thiabendazole (TBZ) and phenothiazine (PTZ), were terminated in February, March, and May, 2005. At necropsy, only the large endoparasites were identified and counted. The number of horses on pasture was 14 (239 days of age to 23 years old) for Old Lot 4 and two (3 to 20 years old) for Field 24. The time of the last antiparasitic treatment, relative to the year (2005) of necropsy, was 26 years for Old Lot 4 and 9 years for Field 24 horses. Gasterophilus intestinalis third instars (three to 113 specimens/horse) were found in all 16 horses and second instars (one to two) in two horses. Gasterophilus nasalis third instars (one to three) were recovered from five horses. Parascaris equorum infections (23 to 144) were in four horses (239 days to 4 years old). Strongylus vulgaris were present in the large intestine (one to 155) of 13 horses from 239 days to 23 years old and in the cranial mesenteric artery (two to 79) in 10 horses from 239 days to 23 years old. Strongylus edentatus were in the large intestine (two to 101) of 12 horses, ranging in age from 2.5 to 23 years old and in the ventral abdominal wall (one to 53) of six horses from 239 days to 21 years old. Specimens (seven to 872) of Anoplocephala perfoliata were in all horses. Oxyuris equi (one to 129) were recovered from seven horses (330 days to 23 years old). Thelazia lacrymalis (one to 85) infected the eyes of five horses (317 days to 11 years old).

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of moxidectin oral gel and ivermectin oral paste against a spectrum of internal parasites of ponies with special attention to encysted cyathostome larvae.

Two dosages of moxidectin oral gel were evaluated and compared to a therapeutic dose of ivermectin oral paste in the control of a spectrum of gastrointestinal parasites of ponies naturally infected in southern Louisiana or Mississippi. Thirty-two mixed-breed ponies ranging in age from one to 21 years were used in this controlled test. Eight weeks prior to the experiment, ponies grazing on contaminated pasture were moved to a paddock and fed a pelleted ration, thus reducing or eliminating the potential for additional infection and ensuring the existence of a population of encysted larvae. Ponies were then allocated to replicates of four animals based on values of fecal strongyle egg counts and percent strongyle larvae composition determined from Baermann sedimentations of fecal cultures. Members of replicates were allocated to one of four treatment groups: moxidectin oral gel administered at 300 micrograms kg-1 body weight, moxidectin oral gel at 400 micrograms kg-1, the oral gel vehicle as negative control, and ivermectin oral paste at 200 micrograms kg-1. Prior to treatment, ponies were confined in pairs to covered concrete runs by treatment group. Two weeks following treatment, necropsy examinations of all animals were performed. Parasites were recovered from the lumen of the stomach, the intestinal tract, the cranial mesenteric artery and its major branches, the peritoneal body wall and from pepsin digests of mucosal scrapings taken from the cecum and large colon. Encysted cyathostome larval burdens were also compared using mural transillumination of segments of the large colon for visualization of the encysted forms. Control ponies were not uniformly infected with the spectrum of parasites; however, moxidectin, at either dosage, compared favorably with ivermectin in the control of the adults of Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus, Triodontophorus spp., Oesophagodontus robustus, Trichostrongylus axei, Oxyuris equi, Parascaris equorum, Habronema muscae, as well as both the adult and larval Cyathostominae recovered from the lumen. Moxidectin also appears as efficacious as ivermectin against migrating large strongyle larvae at the two weeks post-treatment evaluation. Moxidectin demonstrated a trend towards greater efficacy against encysted cyathostome larvae than a therapeutic dosage of ivermectin, but this difference was not statistically significant. Moxidectin was less effective than ivermectin against Gasterophilus intestinalis and was equally ineffective as ivermectin against Anoplocephala perfoliata.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

Purification and analyses of the specificity of two putative diagnostic antigens for larval cyathostomin infection in horses.

Cyathostomins are important equine gastrointestinal parasites. Mass emergence of mucosal stage larvae causes a potentially fatal colitis. Mucosal stages are undetectable non-invasively. An assay that would estimate mucosal larval stage infection would greatly assist in treatment, control and prognosis. Previously, we identified two putative diagnostic antigens (20 and 25 kDa) in somatic larval preparations. Here, we describe their purification and antigen-specific IgG(T) responses to them. Western blots confirmed the purity of the antigens and showed that epitopes in the 20 kDa complex were specific to larval cyathostomins. No cross-reactive antigens appeared to be present in Parascaris equorum or Strongyloides westeri species. Low levels of cross-reactivity were observed in Strongylus edentatus and Strongylus vulgaris species. Use of purified antigens greatly reduced background binding in equine sera. These results indicate that both antigen complexes may be of use in a diagnostic assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

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.

Three groups of foals were raised under different management programs in this study: Group 1 (n = 6) and Group 2 (n = 6) were raised with their dams on pasture; Group 3 foals (n = 5) were raised under parasite-free conditions. Mares and foals of Group 1 received daily pyrantel tartrate (PT) treatment with their pelleted feed ration, whereas mares and foals of Groups 2 and 3 received only the pelleted ration. Pasture-reared foals were weaned and moved to a heavily contaminated pasture for 5 weeks. Group 1 foals continued to receive daily PT treatment whereas Group 2 foals received only the pelleted feed ration. Following this period, all foals were moved into box stalls. Half of each group was challenged with 10(3) Strongylus vulgaris infective third-stage larvae (L3), 5 x 10(3) Strongylus edentatus L3 and 10(5) mixed cyathostome L3; the remaining half served as unchallenged controls. Necropsy examinations were performed 6-week post-challenge for evaluation of parasite burdens and lesions. Daily PT treatment of Group 1 reduced the patent cyathostome infections of both mares and foals and was effective in reducing pasture burdens of infective larvae. Daily treatment of Group 1 foals during weaning continued to suppress EPG levels; however, it did not prevent large strongyle infections during the weaning period. Group 1 foals were more sensitive to challenge than Group 2 foals, which did not exhibit any post-challenge disturbances. Group 1 foals were equally susceptible to challenge as parasite-free foals.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1996

The capacity of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to prevent strongyle infections in foals on pasture.

A field trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of the nematode-destroying fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to control free-living stages of horse strongyles. In late Spring 2 groups of horses (yearlings) with mixed infections of strongyles were allowed to contaminate 2 equal-sized pastures. One of the groups (F) received a daily dose of D. flagrans mixed in a feed supplement, while the other (C) received a similar amount of supplement without fungus. During a 3-month contamination period strongyle egg counts in faeces and number of infective strongyle larvae harvested from faecal cultures were determined. Grass samples were collected fortnightly. After the contamination period the yearlings were removed and 2 groups of young tracer foals (TF and TC) grazed the fungus and control pastures respectively for 4 weeks, housed for another 15 weeks and then killed to determine their worm burdens. The number of larvae in cultures from group TF was significantly lower than that in TC and herbage infectivity was reduced to a very low level on the pasture grazed by horses fed fungi. The number of Strongylus vulgaris and Strongylus edentatus larvae was also significantly lowered in group TF. Cyathostome larvae recovered from the mucosa of the ventral and dorsal colon and from the caecum were significantly lowered in group TF foals. Also, the number of strongyles found in the gut contents of group TF foals were significantly reduced in the dorsal colon, but numbers of worms in the ventral colon and in the caecum were similar to those of the controls.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1996

Species markers for equine strongyles detected in intergenic rDNA by PCR-RFLP.

Five species of equine strongyle belonging to the subfamily Strongylinae (Strongylus edentatus, S. equinus, S. vulgaris, Oesophagodontus robustus and Triodontophorus serratus) and 11 species belonging to the subfamily Cyathostominae (Poteriostomum imparidentatum, P. ratzii, Cylicocyclus insignis, Cc. leptostomus, Cc. nassatus, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cs. longibursatus, Cs. goldi, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cy. labiatum and Cy. pateratum) were characterized using a polymerase chain reaction-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP). Internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA was amplified from genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using conserved primers, digested separately with six restriction endonucleases (AluI, BfaI, CfoI, Hae III, VSpI and XbaI) and the fragments separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. The PCR products of the three Strongylus species were approx. 90-100 bp smaller in size compared with those of the other 13 species. The PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA region spanning the first and second internal transcribed spacers plus the 5.85 rDNA gene (ITS+) produced characteristic patterns for each of the 16 species examined, and no variation in RFLP patterns was detected within the species Cy. catinatum, where multiple isolates were analysed. The study demonstrates that the internal transcribed spacer sequences provide genetic markers for the species identification of a range of equine strongyles. These markers will be of use for the identification of egg and larval stages, where morphological characters alone are unreliable. The results also indicate that the spacer sequences will be of use to study the systematics of equine strongyles.

Animals↗