Equine parascarosis under the tropical weather conditions of Ethiopia: a coprological and postmortem study.
Authors: Getachew A M, Innocent G T, Trawford A F, Feseha G, Reid S J W, Love S
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Parascarosis in Ethiopia Parascaris equorum remains a substantial disease burden in working equines across tropical regions, yet epidemiological data from many parts of Africa remain limited; this study examined the prevalence and intensity of P. equorum infection in donkeys and horses across four Ethiopian regions using combined faecal analysis (803 donkeys, 402 horses) and necropsy findings from 112 donkeys over a ten-year period. Donkeys carried significantly higher infection rates (51.1%) compared with horses (16.2%), with postmortem examination confirming 55% prevalence and indicating that infection severity did not correlate with age in donkeys, suggesting continuous exposure or reinfection across the lifespan rather than age-dependent immunity. Geographic variation was notable, with Ada and Akaki regions showing substantially higher prevalence than Bereh and Boset, likely reflecting differences in husbandry practices, climate, or pasture management. These findings highlight that donkeys—often overlooked in parasite management protocols—warrant equal or greater attention than horses in tropical settings, and that blanket treatment recommendations based on age alone may be insufficient; practitioners working with these populations should consider targeted anthelmintic strategies based on regional prevalence data and individual workload rather than relying solely on age-based dosing schedules.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Parascaris equorum is a major parasitic burden in working equines in tropical Ethiopia; regular fecal monitoring and deworming protocols are essential for donkeys in endemic regions
- •Geographic location significantly influences infection risk; management practices should account for regional variation in parasite prevalence
- •Donkeys appear more susceptible than horses to P. equorum infection in tropical conditions, suggesting species-specific anthelmintic management strategies may be needed
Key Findings
- •Prevalence of P. equorum was 51.1% in donkeys and 16.2% in horses in Ethiopian tropical regions
- •Postmortem examination of 112 donkeys revealed 55% prevalence with high worm burden regardless of age
- •Prevalence was significantly higher in Ada and Akaki regions compared to Bereh and Boset regions
- •No significant difference in infection prevalence or intensity between different age groups of donkeys