Parasitic diseases of equids in Iran (1931–2020): a literature review

Abstract

Parasitic infections can cause many respiratory, digestive and other diseases and contribute to some performance conditions in equids. However, knowledge on the biodiversity of parasites of equids in Iran is still limited. The present review covers all the information about parasitic diseases of horses, donkeys, mules and wild asses in Iran published as articles in Iranian and international journals, dissertations and congress papers from 1931 to July 2020. Parasites so far described in Iranian equids include species of 9 genera of the Protozoa (Trypanosoma, Giardia, Eimeria, Klossiella, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Theileria and Babesia), 50 helminth species from the digestive system (i.e., 2 trematodes, 3 cestodes and 37 nematodes) and from other organs (i.e., Schistosoma turkestanica, Echinococcus granulosus, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, Parafilaria multipapillosa, Setaria equina and 3 Onchocerca spp.). Furthermore, 16 species of hard ticks, 3 mite species causing mange, 2 lice species, and larvae of 4 Gastrophilus species and Hippobosca equina have been reported from equids in Iran. Archeoparasitological findings in coprolites of equids include Fasciola hepatica, Oxyuris equi, Anoplocephala spp. and intestinal strongyles. Parasitic diseases are important issues in terms of animal welfare, economics and public health; however, parasites and parasitic diseases of equines have not received adequate attention compared with ruminants and camels in Iran. The present review highlights the knowledge gaps related to equines about the presence, species, genotypes and subtypes of Neospora hughesi, Sarcocystis spp., Trichinella spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis and microsporidia. Identification of ticks vectoring pathogenic parasites, bacteria and viruses has received little attention, too. The efficacy of common horse wormers also needs to be evaluated systematically.

A review on the diagnosis of animal trypanosomoses

“…Trypanosoma equiperdum is the causative agent of Dourine, a venereal disease transmitted worldwide among equids [ 44 ]. In the last decade it was described in Italy [ 45 ], Mongolia [ 46 ], Ethiopia [ 47 ] and Iran [ 48 ], but its geographical distribution is mostly unknown. These two species may be found in the same hosts and in the same areas as the agents of Nagana, which interfers with species-specific diagnosis.…”

Anaplasmosis

“…The mechanical routes of A. marginale transmission are significant in tick free areas (Dikmans 1950;Da Silva et al 2013;Solomon and Tanga 2020). Clinical signs of gall sickness include high fever, emaciation, abortion, lethargy and death in few cases (Barbet et al 1999;Kocan 2003;Sazmand et al 2020). Incubation period of A. marginale is variable from days to months.…”

Irak'ta bulunan tektırnaklıların endo ve ekto parazitleri üzerine derleme

“…Donkeys, unlike mature horses, are susceptible to infection by large strongyle (Strongylus) species and Dictyocaulus arnifieldi. Adult horses and donkeys can be significant sources of pasture contamination, and when they return from overwork, they can cause health problems and poor nutrition, as well as poor performance and physical condition, as well as serious pathological conditions such as severe diarrhea, colic, and even death (Brady and Nichols, 2009;Sazmand et al, 2020). The use of macrocyclic lactones (ML), ivermectin, and moxidectin reduced large strongyle infections in equine populations, while strongyle resistance to ivermectin, doramectin, and fenbendazole increased.…”