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Questions and Answers
What is the prepatent period for Strongyloides westeri?
What is the prepatent period for Strongyloides westeri?
Which method of transmission is NOT associated with Strongyloides westeri?
Which method of transmission is NOT associated with Strongyloides westeri?
Which migration process is observed in adult horses infected with Strongyloides westeri?
Which migration process is observed in adult horses infected with Strongyloides westeri?
What clinical sign might be seen in foals due to Strongyloides westeri infestation?
What clinical sign might be seen in foals due to Strongyloides westeri infestation?
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What condition is commonly mistaken for foal-heat diarrhea?
What condition is commonly mistaken for foal-heat diarrhea?
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What is a potential consequence of cutaneous irritation caused by migrating larvae?
What is a potential consequence of cutaneous irritation caused by migrating larvae?
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How can broodmares be treated to prevent Strongyloides westeri transmission?
How can broodmares be treated to prevent Strongyloides westeri transmission?
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What type of immunity develops against Strongyloides westeri?
What type of immunity develops against Strongyloides westeri?
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What is the primary parasitic form of Strongyloides westeri?
What is the primary parasitic form of Strongyloides westeri?
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Where in the host does Strongyloides westeri primarily reside?
Where in the host does Strongyloides westeri primarily reside?
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Study Notes
Equine Threadworm (Strongyloides westeri)
- A nematode, a type of parasitic roundworm
- Location in the horse: Small intestine (5-10 mm long)
- Direct life cycle
- Age-related immunity does develop
- Prepatent period: 5 to 10 days
- May have zoonotic potential (can be transmitted to humans)
Life Cycle
- Similar to Strongyloides stercoralis, but still direct
- Females are the parasitic form
- Eggs contain L1 larvae that hatch after passing in feces
- L1 molts to L3 in about two days; becomes parasitic or free-living
- Transmission methods:
- Oral ingestion of larvae in environment
- Transmammary (from mare to foal through milk)
- Skin penetration
Transmission
- Oral: Ingesting larvae in the environment
- Transmammary: Infection from mare's milk
- Skin penetration of larvae
"Foal-Heat Diarrhea"
- Commonly believed to be due to changes in mare's milk during the first estrous cycle after birth.
- Or, normal changes in bacterial flora of the foal's gut.
- May, in fact, be caused by S. westeri infestation via transmammary transmission.
Clinical Signs
-
Migrating larvae (skin penetration):
- Cutaneous irritation and dermatitis
- Pulmonary hemorrhage and respiratory distress ("verminous pneumonia")
-
Adults (small intestine):
- Interference with digestion
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
Prevention
- Treat broodmares with ivermectin or oxibendazole:
- During the final month of gestation
- Within 24 hours of parturition (birth)
- Patent infestations are rare in adults unless they were not exposed to S. westeri as foals.
Diagnosis
- Demonstration of ova in fresh feces via fecal flotation (larvae hatch in 24-48 hours.)
- With older feces (>24 to 48 hours), use Baermann apparatus to detect larvae.
- S. westeri ova are approximately 1/3 the length of strongyle ova.
Treatment
- After deworming the mare at parturition, deworm the foal at 1 month of age with either ivermectin or oxibendazole.
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Description
Explore the life cycle and transmission methods of Equine Threadworm (Strongyloides westeri), a significant parasitic roundworm affecting horses. Understand its direct life cycle, age-related immunity, and the potential zoonotic risks it poses. Dive into details about foal-heat diarrhea and its connection to mare's milk.
