Estimating the Prevalence and Factors Affecting the Shedding of Helminth Eggs in Irish Equine Populations.
Authors: Elghryani Nagwa, McOwan Trish, Mincher Craig, Duggan Vivienne, de Waal Theo
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Helminth Prevalence and Egg Shedding in Irish Horse Populations Widespread anthelmintic resistance is undermining traditional parasite control in equine populations, necessitating evidence-based strategies tailored to local infection patterns. Researchers analysed faecal samples from 2,700 horses across 159 Irish farms to determine helminth prevalence and identify risk factors influencing egg shedding intensity. Strongyles dominated, affecting just over half the population (52.4%), whilst Parascaris spp., Anoplocephala spp., and Strongyloides westeri were considerably less common (4.22%, 2.59%, and 0.89% respectively), with average strongyle faecal egg counts of 250.22 eggs per gram across affected farms. Both age and season significantly modulated strongyle shedding patterns, suggesting that one-size-fits-all dosing schedules are suboptimal for Irish herds. These findings support a shift away from routine mass treatment towards targeted selective deworming based on individual risk profiles and seasonal dynamics, coupled with enhanced biosecurity and pasture management to reduce reinfection pressure.
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Practical Takeaways
- •More than half of horses on Irish farms carry strongyle infections; regular faecal egg count monitoring is essential for identifying high shedders and tailoring deworming strategies
- •Age and season significantly influence worm burden, so deworming protocols should be adjusted according to these risk factors rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach
- •Anthelmintic resistance is a growing concern; this prevalence data supports the need for targeted, evidence-based deworming programs and improved farm management practices to reduce parasite transmission
Key Findings
- •Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infection in Irish equine population was 52.40% for strongyle species, 4.22% for Parascaris spp., 2.59% for Anoplocephala spp., and 0.89% for Strongyloides westeri
- •Average strongyle faecal egg counts across 159 farms were 250.22 eggs per gram
- •Both age and season had significant effects on strongyle egg shedding patterns
- •High prevalence of strongyle infection indicates need for optimized management practices and strategic deworming protocols