Prevalence of anoplocephalidae-infections according to fecal examination in sport horses

Abstract

Aim of the present study was to determine the prevalance of Anoplocephalidae infections on enterprices where horses are kept for sport purposes (race, jumping, etc). A total of 460 horses of different age, gender and breed from 18 centres located in Bursa, Balikesir, Kocaeli, Tekirdag and Eskisehir were examined. Individual faecal samples were collected per rectum or freshly voided faeces. The samples were examined by means of sedimentation+centrifugation-flotation technique used saturated sugar solution (d=1.3) as medium. Anoplocephalidae-eggs were detected in 56 (12.2%) horses, whereas on 8 (44.4%) farms at least one horse was found to be infected. The lowest and the highest within farm prevalence was 4.3% and 70%, respectively. Males and Arabian purebred horses had significantly higher infection rates than females and the other breeds, respectively. Differences in prevalence in relation to age -animals between 1 and 3 years of age being more affected than older and younger ones- are seen.