Veterinary Science Collected Works - Theses
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ItemStudies on Intestinal Nematodes in Australian Thoroughbred Horses( 2023-10)Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are the most important parasites of equines as they pose a significant threat to equine health and wellbeing, particularly in younger and geriatric horses. Strongylids (cyathostomins and strongylins) and ascarids (Parascaris spp.) are the significant GINs of horses, with the former constituting more than 75% of the total parasite fauna. Heavy burdens of these parasites such as Parascaris spp. in young horses, can cause impaction and rupture of the small intestine while cyathostomins can infect all age groups of horses, with variable severity of cyathostominosis, particularly when encysted larvae emerge synchronously from the intestinal wall. The literature review (Chapter 1) identified various research gaps related to the epidemiology, diagnosis, efficacy of commonly used anthelmintics and control of GINs in Australian horses. Over the last 50 years, only a few studies have investigated the epidemiology of GINs of equines in different states of Australia which were either restricted to some regions or involved only a small number of horses. To address some knowledge gaps on the GINs in Australian horses, this thesis aimed to (i) establish baseline epidemiological data on GINs in Australian Thoroughbred horses, (ii) develop and/or employ more sensitive and advanced molecular tools for the detection of GINs in horses in epidemiological and drug efficacy studies, (iii) ascertain the efficacy of commonly used anthelmintics against significant intestinal nematodes of horses, and (iv) assess worm control practices used by Thoroughbred farm managers and equine veterinarians. The longitudinal (Chapter 2) and cross-sectional (Chapter 3) epidemiological studies conducted using coprological methods showed high prevalence and egg-shedding patterns of GINs in various age groups of horses. Climatic zone and age had the highest impact on faecal egg shedding, particularly in the Mediterranean climate, the autumn season, and young horses (i.e., yearlings). The polymerase chain reaction-directed next-generation sequencing (PCR-NGS) method uncovered the diversity of strongylid nematodes as 31 species were detected in both epidemiological surveys and their occurrence varied across various climatic zones, seasons and age groups of horses. Traditionally, the faecal floatation method has been used to diagnose eggs of Strongyloides westeri – a free-living parasitic nematode of newborn foals. In Chapter 4, following the detection of S. westeri eggs in the faeces of foals using microscopy, a PCR-based diagnostic method was established for the first-time using DNA extracted from the parasite eggs. This method will help conduct future molecular epidemiological studies on S. westeri and assess the efficacy of commonly used anthelmintics in foals. Chapter 5 showed the extent of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in cyathostomins and Parascaris spp. prevalent in Australian Thoroughbred horses. An apparent failure of the efficacy of a combination of anthelmintic drugs (i.e., oxfendazole (OFZ) and pyrantel (PYR)) was observed for the first time against Triodontophorus brevicauda – a species of large strongyles. Cyathostomins were resistant to multiple anthelmintics, including abamectin (ABM), ivermectin (IVM), moxidectin (MOX) and OFZ, whether used individually or in combination with other classes of anthelmintics, i.e., OFZ+PYR. Furthermore, where anthelmintics were effective 2 weeks post-treatment, egg reappearance periods (ERPs) were reduced to four and/or five weeks. The major cyathostomin species identified 2 weeks post-treatment were from the two genera, Cylicocyclus and Cylicostephanus while those 5 weeks post-treatment with MLs were Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus longibursatus and Cylicocyclus ashworthi. Chapters 2 to 5 provided comprehensive information on the prevalence of GINs in Australian horses and resistance in ascarid and strongylid nematodes against commonly used anthelmintics. Subsequently, assessments of worm control practices surveys used by horse managers (Chapter 6) and veterinarians (Chapter 7) provided insights into their knowledge, aptitude and practices on GINs of horses, their diagnosis, treatment and control. Although both farm managers and veterinarians almost completely relied on anthelmintics to control GINs in horses, the latter seemed to use more targeted treatment strategies based on faecal egg count results. Multiple correspondence analyses used in Chapter 6 showed that the likelihood of suboptimal worm control practices on small farms (n = less than 50 horses) was greater than that of medium (n = 51-100) and large (n = above 100) farms. Furthermore, the findings highlighted a communication gap between veterinarians and horse managers. In conclusion, this thesis has contributed to addressing some key fundamental knowledge gaps on the GINs of Australian horses. Using conventional and advanced DNA-based diagnostic techniques, this thesis uncovered (i) the prevalence and egg-shedding patterns of GINs across various climatic zones during different seasons in various age groups of horses, (ii) the extent of AR against commonly used anthelmintics in ascarids and strongylid nematodes, and (iii) knowledge, aptitude and practices used by horse managers and veterinarians to control horse parasites. The novel findings of this thesis can pave the way for developing tailored guidelines for equine parasite control in Australia and globally.