Horse tapeworms (Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna, and Anoplocephaloides mamillana)

Test code: X0015

Test name: Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of horse tapeworms by multiplex real time PCR

Three species of tapeworms, Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna, and Anoplocephaloides mamillana, can be found as adults in horses. A. perfoliata is the most common of the three, with prevalence rates in horses ranging from 18 to 82% depending on the geographical region. Infection of equines with cestodes such as tapeworms was previously thought to be relatively harmless, but recent reports have suggested potential pathogenicity in horses due to significant gastrointestinal disease or even death caused by A. perfoliata.

Diagnosis of a tapeworm infection can be made by means of fecal examination, but this method is labor intensive and not very sensitive or specific. The procedure is based on the coprological demonstration of eggs by flotation and sedimentation techniques. Various studies have shown sensitivities of only 11 to 61%, indicating that these coprological techniques are inadequate for diagnosing equine cestodosis (Proudman and Edwards, 1992; Ihler et al., 1995).

Serological detection of tapeworm infection is also not very satisfactory, as it has a sensitivity of no more than 68% (Hoglund et al., 1995; Proudman and Trees, 1996a, b). The low sensitivity of coprological and serological techniques calls for the use of more sensitive methods. Molecular detection by PCR is by far the most sensitive and specific method for detecting these tapeworms (Drogemuller et al., 2004).

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm the presence of these tapeworms
• Ensure that herds are free of these tapeworms
• Early prevention of spread of these parasites among a herd or to other animals
• Minimize human exposure to tapeworms

References:
Drogemuller, M., Beelitz, P., Pfister, K., Schnieder, T. and von Samson-Himmelstjerna, G. (2004) Amplification of ribosomal DNA of Anoplocephalidae: Anoplocephala perfoliata diagnosis by PCR as a possible alternative to coprological methods.Vet Parasitol.124:205-215.
Höglund, J. Ljungström, B.-L., Nilsson, O. and Uggla, A. (1995) Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to Anoplocephala perfoliata in horse sera, Vet. Parasitol. 59:97–106.
Ihler, C.F., Rootwelt, V., Heyeraas, A. and Dolvik, N.I. (1995) The prevalence and epidemiology of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in Norway. Vet. Res. Commun. 19: 487–494.
Proudman, C.J. and Edwards, G.B. (1992) Validation of a centrifugation/flotation techniques for the diagnosis of equine cestodiasis. Vet. Rec. 131: 71–72.
Proudman, C.J. and Trees, A.J. (1996a) Use of excretory/secretory antigens for the serodiagnosis of Anoplocephala perfoliata cestodosis. Vet. Parasitol. 61:239–247.
Proudman, C.J. and Trees, A.J. (1996b) Correlation of antigen specific IgG and IgG(T) responses with Anoplocephala perfoliata infection intensity in the horse, Parasite Immunol. 18:499–506.

Specimen requirements: 1 ml feces, shipped overnight at room temperature.

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative multiplex real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected