Clinical, Prevalence and Molecular Studies of Parascaris equorum in Infected Horses in Al-Muthanna Province
Clinical, Prevalence and Molecular Studies of Parascaris equorum in Infected Horses in Al-Muthanna Province
Hussein Jabar Jasim*, Naer Abdulbari Madlool Alkaabawi, Ali Naser Kathem
ABSTRACT
Due to a lack of research on parasite infections in horses in Iraq, the aims of the current investigate is to assess the clinical manifestations linked with ascariasis in infected horses. Additionally, it seeks to assess the prevalence of ascariasis in horses in Al Muthanna province and evaluate the impact of various risk factors on the infection rate such as age, sex, and seasonality. Moreover, the PCR was used to confirm the presence of P. equorum in the horses. This study was conducted on 138 samples of horse feces, which gathered from various locations within the Al-Muthanna province during the period extended from January 2022 and the end of October 2022. The most typical clinical indications of ascariasis infection in horses were diarrhea 51.4%, increased heart rate 50.27%, respiratory rate 46.37%, coughing 50%, snoring during breathing 48.55%, nasal and ocular discharge 49.27%, and rough hair coat 52.89%. Also, results of epidemiological investigation discovered that out of 138 examined horses, 75 tested positives for ascariasis, with infection rate of 54.34% depended to flotation technique. A correlation was observed between climatic conditions and the occurrence of ascariasis, with the highest infection rates occurring in winter (73.1%) and the lowest in summer (26.6%). Regarding gender, infection rates were 66.6% for females and 45.67% for males. In contrast, the age group of <3 years had the highest infection rate at 72.41%. While, the infection rate had been lowest (32.75%) in the age group of >6 years (Old). On the other hand, PCR findings indicated that 36 (72%) out of 50 horses were positive to p. equorum in PCR. The current study concluded that PCR demonstrated higher specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing ascariasis in horses compared to the flotation technique. Additionally, the study found that, although ascariasis occurs throughout the year, it is most prevalent in winter. The survey also showed that males and horses older than 6 years are less susceptible to ascariasis.
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