Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland
The study was performed to investigate the gastrointestinal parasite fauna using the method of diagnostic deworming in own modification in 29 Polish primitive horses (Equus caballus) from the Roztocze National Park, south-east of Poland. The parasite community was comprised of 35 species represented...
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Інститут зоології ім. І.І. Шмальгаузена НАН України
2013
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irk-123456789-1099172016-12-25T03:02:19Z Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland Slivinska, K. Wrуblewski, Z. Gawor, J. Фауна и систематика The study was performed to investigate the gastrointestinal parasite fauna using the method of diagnostic deworming in own modification in 29 Polish primitive horses (Equus caballus) from the Roztocze National Park, south-east of Poland. The parasite community was comprised of 35 species represented by three nematode families (Strongylidae, Ascaridae, Habronematidae), one cestode family (Anoplocephalidae) and larvae of insects from the family Gasterophilidae (Diptera). Strongylidae being 100 % prevalent was represented by 31 species from the subfamily Strongylinae (6 species) and Cyathostominae (25 species). Parascaris equorum was recorded in 48.3 %, Habronema muscae in 55.2 %, tapeworms (Anoplocephala perfoliata) in 24.1 % and Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae in 41.4 % of horses surveyed. The present results showed high prevalence of pathogenic intestinal parasites, which create the risk of health problems for horses living free in the reserve as well as stabled horses, when rarely treated. Обсуждаются результаты исследования желудочно-кишечной паразитофауны у 29 лошадей породы польський коник (Equus сaballus), которые разводятся в условиях вольного и конюшенного содержания в Розточанском национальном парке, что на юго-востоке Польши. При этом был использован метод диагностической дегельминтизации в собственной модификации. Выявлено, что сообщество паразитов состояло из 35 видов, которые были представлены семeйствами Strongylidae, Ascaridae, Habronematidae (Nematoda), Anoplocephalidae (Cestoda) и личинками насекомых из семейства Gasterophilidae (Diptera). Стронгилиды были найдены у всех исследованных лошадей (100 %) и представлены 31 видом из подсемейства Strongylinae (6 видов) и Cyathostominae (25 видов). Parascaris equorum был зафиксирован в 48,3 %, Habronema muscae в 55,2 %, ленточные черви (Anoplocephala perfoliata) в 24,1 % и личинки Gasterophilus intestinalis в 41,4 % исследованных лошадей. Полученные результаты выявили высокую распространенность патогенных кишечных паразитов, которые представляют опасность для здоровья лошадей в условиях вольного и конюшенного содержания, а также в случае нерегулярных антигельминтных обработок поголовья. 2013 Article Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland / K. Slivinska, Z. Wrуblewski, J. Gawor // Вестник зоологии. — 2013. — Т. 47, № 6. — С. 497–505. — Бібліогр.: 30 назв. — англ. 0084-5604 DOI 10.2478/vzoo-2013-0053 http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/109917 576.89:599.723(438) en Вестник зоологии Інститут зоології ім. І.І. Шмальгаузена НАН України |
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Фауна и систематика Фауна и систематика |
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Фауна и систематика Фауна и систематика Slivinska, K. Wrуblewski, Z. Gawor, J. Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland Вестник зоологии |
| description |
The study was performed to investigate the gastrointestinal parasite fauna using the method of diagnostic deworming in own modification in 29 Polish primitive horses (Equus caballus) from the Roztocze National Park, south-east of Poland. The parasite community was comprised of 35 species represented by three nematode families (Strongylidae, Ascaridae, Habronematidae), one cestode family (Anoplocephalidae) and larvae of insects from the family Gasterophilidae (Diptera). Strongylidae being 100 % prevalent was represented by 31 species from the subfamily Strongylinae (6 species) and Cyathostominae (25 species). Parascaris equorum was recorded in 48.3 %, Habronema muscae in 55.2 %, tapeworms (Anoplocephala perfoliata) in 24.1 % and Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae in 41.4 % of horses surveyed. The present results showed high prevalence of pathogenic intestinal parasites, which create the risk of health problems for horses living free in the reserve as well as stabled horses, when rarely treated. |
| format |
Article |
| author |
Slivinska, K. Wrуblewski, Z. Gawor, J. |
| author_facet |
Slivinska, K. Wrуblewski, Z. Gawor, J. |
| author_sort |
Slivinska, K. |
| title |
Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland |
| title_short |
Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland |
| title_full |
Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland |
| title_fullStr |
Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland |
| title_sort |
occurrence of gastro-intestinal parasites in polish primitive horses from the roztocze national park, poland |
| publisher |
Інститут зоології ім. І.І. Шмальгаузена НАН України |
| publishDate |
2013 |
| topic_facet |
Фауна и систематика |
| url |
http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/109917 |
| citation_txt |
Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park, Poland / K. Slivinska, Z. Wrуblewski, J. Gawor // Вестник зоологии. — 2013. — Т. 47, № 6. — С. 497–505. — Бібліогр.: 30 назв. — англ. |
| series |
Вестник зоологии |
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2025-07-07T23:51:08Z |
| last_indexed |
2025-07-07T23:51:08Z |
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1837034134930718720 |
| fulltext |
UDC 576.89:599.723(438)
OCCURRENCE OF GASTRO-ITESTINAL PARASITES IN POLISH
PRIMITIVE HORSES FROM THE ROZTOCZE NATIONAL PARK,
POLAND
K. Slivinska1, Z. Wróblewski2, J. Gawor3
1Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine, vul. B. Khmelnitskogo, 15, Kyiv, 01601 Ukraine
E-maill: horsecez@gmail.com
2Veterinary Private Practice, Pisz, Mickiewicza, 41, Poland
E-maill: zbigwrob@op.pl
3W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, ul. Twarda, 51/55, Poland
E-maill: gaworj@twarda.pan.pl
Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses from the Roztocze National Park,
Poland. Slivinska K., Wróblewski Z., Gawor J. — The study was performed to investigate the gastro-
intestinal parasite fauna using the method of diagnostic deworming in own modification in 29 Polish
primitive horses (Equus caballus) from the Roztocze National Park, south-east of Poland. The parasite
community was comprised of 35 species represented by three nematode families (Strongylidae, Ascaridae,
Habronematidae), one cestode family (Anoplocephalidae) and larvae of insects from the family
Gasterophilidae (Diptera). Strongylidae being 100 % prevalent was represented by 31 species from the
subfamily Strongylinae (6 species) and Cyathostominae (25 species). Parascaris equorum was recorded in
48.3 %, Habronema muscae in 55.2 %, tapeworms (Anoplocephala perfoliata) in 24.1 % and Gasterophilus
intestinalis larvae in 41.4 % of horses surveyed. The present results showed high prevalence of pathogenic
intestinal parasites, which create the risk of health problems for horses living free in the reserve as well
as stabled horses, when rarely treated.
Key wo rd s: Poli sh primitive horse; gastro-intestinal parasites; Roztocze National Park.
Âñòðå÷àåìîñòü æåëóäî÷íî-êèøå÷íûõ ïàðàçèòîâ ó ïîëüñêîãî êîíèêà â Ðîçòî÷àíñêîì íàöèîíàëüíîì
ïàðêå, Ïîëüøà. Ñëèâèíñêàÿ Ê., Âðóáëåâñêèé Ç., Ãàâîð ß. — Îáñóæäàþòñÿ ðåçóëüòàòû èññëåäîâàíèÿ
æåëóäî÷íî-êèøå÷íîé ïàðàçèòîôàóíû ó 29 ëîøàäåé ïîðîäû ïîëüñüêèé êîíèê (Equus ñaballus),
êîòîðûå ðàçâîäÿòñÿ â óñëîâèÿõ âîëüíîãî è êîíþøåííîãî ñîäåðæàíèÿ â Ðîçòî÷àíñêîì íàöèî-
íàëüíîì ïàðêå, ÷òî íà þãî-âîñòîêå Ïîëüøè. Ïðè ýòîì áûë èñïîëüçîâàí ìåòîä äèàãíîñòè÷åñêîé
äåãåëüìèíòèçàöèè â ñîáñòâåííîé ìîäèôèêàöèè. Âûÿâëåíî, ÷òî ñîîáùåñòâî ïàðàçèòîâ ñîñòîÿëî
èç 35 âèäîâ, êîòîðûå áûëè ïðåäñòàâëåíû ñåìeéñòâàìè Strongylidae, Ascaridae, Habronematidae
(Nematoda), Anoplocephalidae (Cestoda) è ëè÷èíêàìè íàñåêîìûõ èç ñåìåéñòâà Gasterophilidae
(Diptera). Ñòðîíãèëèäû áûëè íàéäåíû ó âñåõ èññëåäîâàííûõ ëîøàäåé (100 %) è ïðåäñòàâëåíû
31 âèäîì èç ïîäñåìåéñòâà Strongylinae (6 âèäîâ) è Cyathostominae (25 âèäîâ). Parascaris equorum
áûë çàôèêñèðîâàí â 48,3 %, Habronema muscae â 55,2 %, ëåíòî÷íûå ÷åðâè (Anoplocephala perfoliata)
â 24,1 % è ëè÷èíêè Gasterophilus intestinalis â 41,4 % èññëåäîâàííûõ ëîøàäåé. Ïîëó÷åííûå ðåçóëü-
òàòû âûÿâèëè âûñîêóþ ðàñïðîñòðàíåííîñòü ïàòîãåííûõ êèøå÷íûõ ïàðàçèòîâ, êîòîðûå ïðåäñòàâ-
ëÿþò îïàñíîñòü äëÿ çäîðîâüÿ ëîøàäåé â óñëîâèÿõ âîëüíîãî è êîíþøåííîãî ñîäåðæàíèÿ, à òàêæå
â ñëó÷àå íåðåãóëÿðíûõ àíòèãåëüìèíòíûõ îáðàáîòîê ïîãîëîâüÿ.
Êëþ÷åâûå ñëîâà: êîíèê ïîëüñêèé, æåëóäî÷íî-êèøå÷íûå ïàðàçèòû, Ðîçòî÷àíñêèé íàöèî-
íàëüíûé ïàðê.
Introduction
Wild Polish primitive horses (Equus caballus) have been living under natural conditions in the Roztocze
National Park since 1982. The habitat of wild horses currently embraces 180 hectares of forest, grassland and
lake. There is one harem of 16 animals: 1 stallion, 8 mares and 7 foals. Since 1996 in the National Park horses
have been breed under the stabled conditions as well. Currently there are 13 females and their foals.
Two herds of Polish primitive horses (Equus caballus) are kept in the Roztocze National Park (south-east
of Poland), one (n = 16) living free in the reserve, the other (n = 13) kept in the stable. No anthelminthic
Vestnik zoologii, 47(6): e-53–e-61, 2013
DOI 10.2478/vzoo-2013-0053
Unauthenticated
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54 K. Slivinska, Z. Wró blewski, J. Gawor
treatment has been applied to the reserve herd to date. For the control of the population dynamics yearling
offsprings are captured from the reserve every year in winter, then after taming they are bred under the stabled
conditions. The stabled group consists currently of 13 females with their foals. Anthelminthic treatment is
rarely applied to these horses.
Gastro-intestinal parasites are an important factor which may influence the health of horses, in severe
intensity of infection can be a cause of mortality. Therefore, the evaluation of intestinal parasite occurrence
(prevalence and intensity) in both, the reserve and the stabled group is important to prevent the risk of health
hazard. To date, gastro-intestinal parasite fauna in wild Polish primitive horses in Poland was investigated only
in free-living horses in the Popielno Forest Reserve, the north of Poland (Slivinska et al., 2009 a). There is
limited knowledge of such parasite community in the Polish primitive horses living under natural and stabled
conditions at the Roztocze National Park.
In the present study, using method of the diagnostic deworming in own modification we surveyed gastro-
intestinal parasite community of the Polish primitive horses living in the natural reserve and stabled conditions
in south-east of Poland. These results are the basis for the comparison of the ecological management and
control of the parasitological situation under reserve and stabled breeding of the primitive horses.
Material and methods
Examination of the gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of 16 wild horses (1 harem stallion 5 years old, 8 mares
of age range from 5 to 25 years old (mean = 12.5; S. D. = 8.8), 7 offsprings 0.5 years old) and 13 stabled mares
3 to 17 (4.9 ± 4.3) was performed by the diagnostic deworming (Kuzmina et al., 2004) method in April 2008.
Wild horses were kept under natural conditions all seasons during the year. Stabled horses were kept in
stable at night and returned to fenced pastures during a day.
No anthelminthic treatment has been applied to wild horses to date. Anthelminthic treatment to stabled
mares has been applied rarely, not every year.
Mean egg output counted as egg per gramme (EPG) was carried out on a day before treatment using the
McMaster method (Herd, 1992). EPG values counted individually from each horse and calculated in group of
horses — wild harem (separately stallion, mares and foals) and stabled mares — are given in table 1.
All horses (n = 29) were treated with 18.7 mg ivermectin + 140.3 mg praziquantel (Equimax paste,
Virbac de Portugal Laboratorios LDA, Portugal) in dose 1.07 g of paste per 100 êg of body weight. The body
weight of stallion was about 350 kg, each mare was 250–300 kg and the foal was 150 kg.
Faecal sampling for expelled parasites (200 g from each horse) was performed per rectum from each
horse 24, 36 and 48 hours after treatment. In the laboratory, samples were washed with tap water and preserved
in 40 % alcohol. Gastro-intestinal parasites were isolated from faeces, then fixed in 70 % alcohol, counted and
identified to species level using the keys by Lichtenfels and Kharchenko (2008). A number of parasites found
in each sample was defined as relative intensity.
Totally 24,254 parasite specimens in wild and stabled horses (12,219 and 12,035, respectively) were
collected and identified.
Results
GI pa r a s i t e commun i t y i n w i l d ho r s e s (n = 16 )
All wild horses were infected with strongylids; the mean egg output was 320.3 EPG
(75–900), 43.8 % of horses expelled Parascaris eggs (225.0 EPG) and 25 % expelled
eggs of Strongyloides westeri (175.0 EPG). Harem stallion excreted only strongylids eggs
(100 EPG). Parascaris eggs were found in 25 % of wild mares (50.0 EPG) and in 71.4 %
of foals (295.0 EPG). 57 % of foals excreted Strongyloides westeri eggs (175 EPG)
(table 1).
Horse
Mean EPG
Strongylidae Parascaris equorum Strongyloides westeri
Cestoda
EI,% II SD EI, % II SD EI, % II SD
Wild
harem,
n = 16
Stallion n = 1 100 100.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mares n = 8 100 237.5 128.2 25 50 26.7 0 0 0 0
Foals n = 7 100 446.4 331.2 71.4 295.0 225.4 57.1 175 150 0
Stable mares n = 13 100 1821.2 1088.1 15.4 350.0 160.4 0 0 0 0
Tab l e 1. Results of faecal egg counts in wild Polish primitive horses (Equus caballus), n = 29, in the Roztocze
National Park, Poland ( April 2008)
Òàáëèöà 1. Ðåçóëüòàòû îâîñêîïè÷åñêîãî èññëåäîâàíèÿ êîíèêà ïîëüñêîãî (Equus caballus), n = 29, Ðîç-
òî÷àíñêèé íàöèîíàëüíûé ïàðê, Ïîëüøà (àïðåëü 2008)
Note. EPG — eggs per gram; EI, % — prevalence; II — intensity in infected horses.
Unauthenticated
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55 Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses…
Thirty-five species of GI-parasites were found: 33 nematodes, 1 cestode and 1 larva
of botfly. From 17 to 29 species (21.2 ± 3.9) were found per host (table 2). Ten Strong-
ylidae species (Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cyathostomum catinatus, Cylicostephanus longibur-
satus, C. minutus, Cylicocyclus ashworthi, Cylicostephanus calicatus, C. goldi, Cylicocyclus
leptostomum, Coronocyclus labratus and Strongylus vulgaris) dominated in the parasite
community; they were found in 90–100 % of wild horses examined and composed 87.2 %
of total parasite number. Parascaris equorum and Habronema muscae were of 56.3 % and
43.8 % prevalence, respectively. Anoplocephala perfoliata specimens and larvae of Gaster-
ophilus intestinalis were found in 37.5 % and 56.3 % of horses, respectively. In general,
the relative intensity of nematode infection was low. The mean number of specimens
of Strongylus vulgaris and S. edentatus (subfamily Strongylinae) varied in different age
Note. 1 — adults horses (n = 9); 2 — foals (n = 7).
Tab l e 2. Results of gastro-intestinal survey in wild Polish primitive horses (Equus caballus), n = 16, kept in
nature conditions in the Roztocze National Park, Poland (April 2008)
Òàáëèöà 2. Ðåçóëüòàòû èññëåäîâàíèÿ æåëóäî÷íî-êèøå÷íîé ïàðàçèòîôàóíû êîíèêîâ ïîëüñêèõ (Equus
caballus), n = 16, âîëüíîãî ñîäåðæàíèÿ â Ðîçòî÷àíñêîì íàöèîíàëüíîì ïàðêå, Ïîëüøà (àïðåëü 2008)
Parasite species
Prevalence,
%
Number of specimens
Total
Mean Mini-
mum
Maxi-
mum SD
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
S t r ongy l i n a e
Strongylus vulgaris 88.9 28.6 7.1 1 1 1 16 1 5.6 0 57 2
S. edentatus 77.8 0 7.9 0 3 0 12 0 4.1 0 55 0
Triodontophorus serratus 62.5 7.2 2 15 5.5 72
T. brevicauda 62.5 4.1 1 10 4.8 41
T. tenuicollis 50.0 3.5 2 9 2.5 28
Craterostomum acuticaudatum 25.0 2.5 1 6 2.4 10
Cya tho s t om inae
Cyathostomum catinatum 100 19.6 41 232 57.1 1913
C. pateratum 75.0 20.9 2 37 10.8 251
Coronocyclus coronatus 87.5 21.1 3 47 15.4 295
C. labiatus 81.3 9.0 2 19 5.7 116
C. labratus 93.8 7.8 1 16 5.6 117
Cylicostephanus calicatus 100 29.3 2 64 19.1 468
C. minutus 100 18.4 14 205 65.8 1895
C. hybridus 25.0 1.3 1 2 0.6 5
C. longibursatus 100 29.6 18 232 73.3 2073
C. goldi 100 6.8 2 31 11.0 269
C. bidentatus 37.5 1.5 1 3 0.9 9
Cylicocyclus radiatus 6.3 1.0 1 1 0.6 1
C. elongatus 68.8 12.1 3 26 8.9 133
C. insigne 87.5 20.8 6 39 13.0 291
C. leptostomum 100 15.8 2 32 8.9 252
C. nassatus 100 59.1 15 282 78.3 2546
C. ashworthi 100 57.8 2 104 32.8 925
C. ultrajectinus 25.0 2.8 1 5 1.4 11
Cylicodontophorus bicoronatus 18.8 2.0 1 2 0.7 6
Parapoteriostomum euproctus 56.3 7.0 2 13 4.6 63
P. mettami 50.0 2.3 1 5 1.5 18
Poteriostomum imparidentatum 25.0 2.3 1 4 1.2 9
P. ratzii 43.8 1.4 1 3 0.9 10
Petrovinema poculatum 43.8 1.7 1 3 1.0 12
Gyalocephalus capitatus 18.8 1.3 1 2 0.6 4
A s c a r i d a e
Parascaris equorum 56.3 5.1 1 13 4.1 46
Hab ronema t i d a e
Habronema muscae 43.8 11.1 1 65 16.1 78
Anop l o c epha l i d a e
Anoplocephala perfoliata 37.5 2.5 1 7 1.8 15
Ga s t e r oph i l i d a e
Gasterophilus intestinalis 56.3 2.7 1 11 2.8 24
Unauthenticated
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56 K. Slivinska, Z. Wró blewski, J. Gawor
groups. In adult wild horses 7.1 and 7.9 specimens of Strongylus vulgaris and S. edentatus
were found, respectively. Only one specimen of S. vulgaris was recorded in foals group
(table 2). In case of Cyathostominae, 1.0–159.1 specimens were found in all wild horses.
The mean number of ascarids per horse was 5.1 ± 4.1 and habronematids 11.1 ± 16.1
(table 2). Eight most abundant cyathostome species (C. nassatus, C. longibursatus, C. cat-
inatum, C. minutus, C. ashworthi, C. calicatus, C. goldi, C. leptostomum) made up 86.4 %
of total strongylids in wild horses examined, with the mean number of specimens found
from 15.8 (C. leptostomum) to 159.1 (C. nassatus) (table 2). Tapeworms (A. perfoliata)
were recorded in 37.5 % of horses surveyed, with 1 to 7 specimens recovered (mean 2.5).
One non-helminth gastro-intestinal parasite, namely larvae of G. intestinalis was also re-
corded with the prevalence of 56.3 % and intensity 1–11 specimens (mean 2.7).
GI parasite community in stabled mares (n = 13)
All mares were infected with strongylids, the mean egg output was 1328.0 EPG
(range 400–3775) and 15.4 % of horses expelled Parascaris eggs (350.0 EPG) (table 1).
Twenty-eight species of GI-parasites were recorded, among them 26 nematodes,
one cestode species and one larva of botfly. From 16 to 28 species (18.8 ± 2.3) were
found per host. Twelve strongylid species (C. nassatus, C. catinatum, C. longibursatus,
C. minutus, C. ashworthi, C. calicatus, Coronocyclus coronatus, Cylicocyclus insigne,
C. goldi, Cyathostomum pateratum, C. leptostomum and Strongylus edentatus), which
Parasite species Prevalence, %
Number of specimens
Total
Mean Minimum Maximum SD
St rongy l i n a e
Strongylus vulgaris 84.6 10.5 3 37 10,6 166
S. edentatus 92.3 7.4 1 23 5.8 89
Triodontophorus serratus 53.9 2.6 1 4 1.5 18
T. brevicauda 30.8 2.8 2 5 1.5 11
T. tenuicollis 38.5 1.8 1 3 1.1 9
Craterostomum acuticaudatum 7.7 2.0 2 2 2 0,6
Cya tho s t om inae
Cyathostomum catinatum 100 174.6 75 254 46.6 2270
C. pateratum 92.3 22.9 1 48 15.6 275
Coronocyclus coronatus 100 36.5 9 73 18.2 475
C. labiatus 76.9 12.3 4 21 7.1 123
C. labratus 84.6 9.0 3 18 6.2 99
Cylicostephanus calicatus 100 69.0 22 109 23.5 897
C. minutus 100 120.8 49 241 50.4 1570
C. longibursatus 100 129.3 43 205 49.5 1681
C. goldi 100 24.2 2 58 10.6 315
Cylicocyclus elongatus 76.9 14.1 1 36 12.7 141
C. insigne 100 26.8 2 57 15.0 348
C. leptostomum 100 18.3 1 38 12.6 238
C. nassatus 100 174.8 69 226 46.6 2272
C. ashworthi 100 71.0 16 149 35.3 923
Parapoteriostomum euproctus 30.8 5.8 4 8 2.9 23
P. mettami 30.8 1.5 1 2 0.8 6
Poteriostomum imparidentatum 23.1 1.3 1 2 0.6 4
Petrovinema poculatum 23.1 2.3 1 5 1.4 7
A s c a r i d a e
Parascaris equorum 38.5 1.8 1 3 1.0 9
Hab ronema t i d a e
Habronema muscae 69.2 6.3 1 19 5.4 57
Anop l o c epha l i d a e
Anoplocephala perfoliata 7.7 3.0 3 3 1.0 3
Ga s t e r oph i l i d a e
Gasterophilus intestinalis 23.1 1.7 1 2 0.8 5
Tab l e 3 . Results of gastro-intestinal survey in stabled mares of the Polish primitive horses (Equus caballus),
n = 13, in the Roztocze National Park, Poland (April 2008)
Òàáëèöà 3 . Ðåçóëüòàòû èññëåäîâàíèÿ æåëóäî÷íî-êèøå÷íîé ïàðàçèòîôàóíû ìàòî÷íîãî ïîãîëîâüÿ êî-
íèêà ïîëüñêîãî (Equus caballus), n = 13, êîíþøåííîãî ñîäåðæàíèÿ â Ðîçòî÷àíñêîì íàöèîíàëüíîì ïàðêå,
Ïîëüøà (aïðåëü 2008)
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57 Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses…
were found in 92.3–100 % of horses examined, dominated in the parasite community
composing 94.3 % of all parasite specimens found. P. equorum and H. muscae were of
38.5 % and 69.2 % prevalence, respectively. A. perfoliata and larvae of G. intestinalis were
recorded in 7.7 % and 23.1 % horses, respectively.
In general the relative intensity of nematode infection was high. The mean number
of specimens of a given species from the subfamily Strongylinae varied from 1.8 to
10.5 (table 3), while that from Cyathostominae was 1.0–174.8. The mean number of
ascarids per horse was 1.8 ± 1.0, while that of habronematids was 6.3 ± 5.4 (table 3). Six
strongylids species (C. nassatus, C. catinatum, C. longibursatus, C. minutus, C. ashworthi,
C. calicatus) made up 80.4 % of total strongylids in stabled mares examined. The mean
number of specimens per horse was from 69.0 (C. calicatus) to 174.8 (C. nassatus). The
mean number of specimens of other strongylids species was less than 36.5. A. perfoliata
was recorded in one horse (7.7 %), while the prevalence of G. intestinalis was 23.1 %,
with 1–2 larvae found (mean 1.7).
Prevalence and intensity of the infection of parasites grouped by the family and the
number of species of the GI-parasites in the wild and stabled Polish primitive horses are
given in table 4.
Discussion and conclusions
In wild mares, their foals and stabled mares the prevalence of Parascaris infection
counted by EPG was 25 %, 71.4 % and 15.4 %, respectively. Four mares (two from the
wild and two from the stabled group) and five wild foals had positive ascarid egg counts.
These data were confirmed by worm counts — 56.3 % in the wild harem and 38.5 %
in stabled horses. Similar prevalence of Parascaris infection in mares was revealed in
helminth surveys in horses from small farms in Poland (Gawor, 1996).
Strongyloides westeri eggs were found exclusively in foals (57.1 %). Infection with
this parasite in foals of 5 months old was recorded in other surveys (Lyons et al., 1973;
Mirck, 1975).
In both groups of horses the prevalence of strongylids infection was 100 %. The
number of specimens was from 1.0 to 159.1 in wild and 1.3 to 174.8 in stabled horses.
In wild horses from 17 to 29 (mean 21.2 ± 3.9) of GI-parasites species were found; in
stabled horses 16–21 (18.8 ± 2.3). High worm counts of strongylids in stabled horses is a
result of management conditions. When horses are kept in the fenced pasture strongylids
infection is transmitted most efficiently (Kornas et al. 2006).
Six common species of Strongylinae were found in both groups (S. vulgaris,
S. eden tatus, Triodontophorus serratus, T. brevicauda, T. tenuicollis, Craterostomum
Parasites
Wild horses (n = 16) Stabled horses (n = 13)
EI, % Specimens per
infected horse
Total number
of species ÅI, % Specimens per
infected horse
Total number
of species
Gasterophilidae 56.3 2.7 1 23.1 1.7 1
Anoplocephalidae 37.5 2.5 1 7.7 3.0 1
Ascarididae 56.3 5.1 1 38.5 1.8 1
Habronematidae 43.8 11.1 1 69.2 6.3 1
Strongylinae 100 19.3 6 100 22.7 6
Cyathostominae 100 734.3 25 100 897.5 18
Tab l e 4 . Prevalence and Intensity of GI-parasites infection of Polish primitive horses (Equus caballus),
n = 29, in the Roztocze National Park, Poland, (April 2008)
Òàáëèöà 4 . Ýêñòåíñèâíîñòü è èíòåíñèâíîñòü èíâàçèè æåëóäî÷íî-êèøå÷íûìè ïàðàçèòàìè êîíèêà ïîëü-
ñêîãî (Equus caballus), n = 29 â Ðîçòî÷àíñêîì íàöèîíàëüíîì ïàðêå, Ïîëüøà (àïðåëü 2008)
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58 K. Slivinska, Z. Wró blewski, J. Gawor
acuticaudatum). 10 species of the Cyathostominae formed the core of GI parasite
community for both horse groups (Cyathostomum catinatum, Coronocyclus coronatus,
Cylicostephanus calicatus, C. minutus, C. longibursatus, C. goldi, Cylicocyclus insigne,
C. leptostomum, C. nassatus, C. ashworthi).
25 species of cyathostomes were revealed, with 18 species (C. catinatum, C. pate-
ratum, C. coronatus, C. labiatus, C. labratus, C. calicatus, C. minutus, C. longibursatus,
C. goldi, C. elongatus, C. insigne, C. leptostomum, C. nassatus, C. ashworthi, C. euproctus,
Parapoteriostomum mettami, Poteriostomum imparidentatum, Petrovinema poculatum)
common for both groups of horses (table 5).
The present results are comparable with the earlier studies of Polish primitive
horses which breed under natural and stabled conditions similar to that in the Roztocze
National Park.
A total of 35 gastro-intestinal parasite species were recorded from wild and stabled
Polish primitive horses from the Roztocze National Park (this study) in comparison with
28 species found in the Popielno Forest Reserve (Slivinska et al., 2009 a). Such results
could have been casued by similar conditions for wild horses in both reserves and the
same season of year and method of parasite survey.
Tab l e 5. Species composition of the gastro-intestinal parasites in Polish primitive horses from the Roztocze
National Park (this study) and the Popielno forest reserve (Slivinska et al., 2009)
Òàáëèöà 5. Âèäîâèé ñîñòàâ æåëóäî÷íî-êèøå÷íûõ ïàðàçèòîâ êîíèêà ïîëüñêîãî èç Ðîçòî÷àíñêîãî íà-
öèîíàëüíîãî ïàðêà (íàñòîÿùåå èññëåäîâàíèå) è ëåñíîãî çàïîâåäíèêà â Ïîïåëüíî (Ñëèâèíñêàÿ è äð., 2009)
Species of parasite
Present study Popielno, 2007
Wild horses
(n = 11)Wild horses
(n = 16)
Stabled horses
(n = 13)
Strongylus vulgaris + + +
S. edentatus + + –
Triodontophorus serratus + + +
T. brevicauda + + –
T. tenuicollis + + –
Craterostomum acuticaudatum + + –
Cyathostomum catinatum + + +
C. pateratum + + +
Coronocyclus coronatus + + +
C. labiatus + + +
C. labratus + + +
Cylicostephanus calicatus + + +
C. minutus + + +
C. hybridus + – –
C. longibursatus + + +
C. goldi + + +
C. bidentatus + – +
Cylicocyclus radiatus + – –
C. elongatus + + +
C. insigne + + +
C. leptostomum + + +
C. nassatus + + +
C. ashworthi + + +
C. ultrajectinus + – +
Cylicodontophorus bicoronatus + – +
Parapoteriostomum euproctus + + +
P. mettami + + +
Poteriostomum imparidentatum + + +
P. ratzii + – –
Petrovinema poculatum + + –
Gyalocephalus capitatus + – +
Parascaris equorum + + +
Habronema muscae + + +
Oxyuris equi – – +
Anoplocephala perfoliata + + +
Gasterophilus intestinalis + + +
Total number of species 35 28 28
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59 Occurrence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Polish Primitive Horses…
Climatic conditions are different for both reserves in Poland. The Popielno Forest
Reserve is situated in north-eastern part of Poland within the geographical region of
Masuria. Masuria has a temperate climate with cold winters and warm summers. The
weather there is cooler than in most parts of Poland, and area also has some snow during
the winter. The area is usually frozen from December to the end of April. The Roztocze
National Park is situated in the east-central Poland. The Roztocze area is characterized
by the continental climate, with air temperature varying from — 30° C in the winter, to
+30° C in the summer (Kondracki, 2000; Kozuchowski, 2011). Differences in climate in
both reserves are possibly a reason for different results obtained in both studies.
In horses from Roztocze and Popielno reserves, higher helminth diversity is
connected with lower relative intensity of the parasite infection. The mean number
of specimens of given strongylid species varied from 1.5 to 11.0 in this study and 1.9
to 2.5 in Polish primitive horses in Popielno, while cyathostome species from 1.0 to
134.7 and 1.3 to 166.1 in this study and in Popielno, respectively. However, the earlier
studies of stabled Polish primitive horses (Gawor, 2000) reported similar prevalence
of large strongyles to the present findings, with Strongylus spp. forming up to 5 %
of Strongylidae population. Six species of Strongylinae in horses from Roztocze and
two species in Popielno horses were representatives of strongylids populations. It is
significant that studies in both reserves in Poland were performed during early spring. In
a northern climate at this time of year strongylids parasites are emerging from arrested
development (Cyathostominae) or completing their maturation (Strongylinae), and egg
and worm counts are at their annual peak (Herd, 1986). Our findings are confirmed
by the results of previous surveys on dynamics of Strongylidae in Poland (Betlejewska,
2000; Romaniuk et al., 2002; Kornas et al., 2006).
In horses from both reserves, the dominant gastro-intestinal group (in terms of
prevalence and intensity of infection) was the family Strongylidae.
Infection by Parascaris equorum, Anoplocephala perfoliata and Gasterophilus intesti-
nalis in horses from the Roztocze National Park was lower than in those from the
Popielno Forest Reserve (48.3, 24.1, 41.4 % in Roztocze and 63.6, 72.2, 90.9 % in
Popielno, respectively).
The lower prevalence of infection with Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses from the
Roztocze National Park then in the Popielno Forest Reserve could be explained by the
high dependence of A. perfoliata eggs to humidity in the environment (Meana, 2005).
Present results are comparable with the earlier studies in Poland (Romaniuk et al., 2001;
Kornas et al., 2006) and in other countries (Gasser et al., 2005). Disparity between results
of fecal examination and worm count for cestodes in wild and stabled mares and foals in
the Popielno Reserve was recorded (Slivinska et al., 2009 b). Authors concluded that there
is no reliable method of tapeworm infection diagnostics in the living horses. The negative
results of faecal examination cannot exclude the existence of infection with these parasites.
Method of diagnostic deworming with per rectum gathering of feaces used in our study
gives prospects for improved diagnosis of tapeworm infections in the living horses.
Infection by Habronema muscae of horses in Roztocze was higher than in Popielno
(55.2 % and 18.2 %, respectively). Horses in the Roztocze National Park were not
infected by Oxyuris equi, while in the Popielno Reserve 23.1 % were found infected.
Our findings that few strongylid cyathostome species constitute the core of the
gastro-intestinal community in the wild Polish primitive horse are confirmed by results
of helminth surveys conducted in other horse species in Poland (Romaniuk et al., 1983,
2001; Gawor, 2000), in France (Marchand et al., 2004), in Turkmen kulans Equus
hemionus Pallas, 1775 in Ukraine and Turkmenia (Dvojnos et al., 1992) and in various
breeds of domestic horses in different parts of the world (Mfitilodge, Hutchinson 1985,
1990; Reinemeyer et al., 1984; Lyons et al., 1997; Scialdo-Krecek et al., 1983; Ogbourne,
1976; Eysker, Mirck, 1986; Meana et al., 2004; Farkas, 2004).
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60 K. Slivinska, Z. Wró blewski, J. Gawor
It is important to point out that among 35 gastro-intestinal species recorded in this
study, four species, i. e. Strongylus vulgaris, S. edentatus, Anoplocephala perfoliata and
Gasterophilus intestinalis are of veterinary importance. It can be concluded that under
the Roztocze National Park conditions anthelminthic treatment in stabled horses is
necessary, however it should be performed after detailed faecal examination.
We would like to thank to Jan Słomiany from the Roztocze National Park for his great help during the study.
The study was supported by Visegrad Fund, Slovakia.
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Received 16 October 2012
Accepted 1 October 2013
.
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