Strongyles worms in horses

Test code: X0016 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection but not differentiation of most strongyles species in horses, by real time PCR.

Nematodes of the subfamily Cyathostominae (cyathostomins), order Strongylida, are the most common parasites of horses. More than 50 species within 13 genera have been documented, including Cylicocyclus ashworthi, Cylicocyclus auriculatus, Cylicocyclus radiatus, Cylicocyclus insigne, Cylicocyclus leptostomum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus bidentatus, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus minutus, Cyathostomum pateratum, Cyathostomum catinatum, Coronocyclus coronatus, Coronocyclus labiatus and Tridentoinfundibulum gobi. Infected horses often carry five to ten common species.

Horses infected with these parasites may develop various syndromes including larval cyathostominosis, a fatal enteritis that occurs secondary to synchronized reactivation of inhibited larvae from the intestinal mucosa. The mortality rate is 50% even when intensive treatment is given. Other syndromes induced by these nematodes include a protein-losing enteropathy with loss of condition and peripheral edema, or mild weight loss, poor appetite and lethargy with disordered intestinal motility. The association between the individual strongyles species and the development of these different clinical syndromes is not yet well understood.

Horses that have been exposed to these parasites do not always develop immunity to the parasites. Infected horses can contaminate pastures throughout their lives.

The current method of detecting strongyles infections is to remove the adult worms at necropsy and examine their morphology, which is of little value in clinical veterinary practice. Detecting eggs or larvae in stool samples is difficult and time-consuming using morphological parameters. However, molecular detection by PCR is a highly sensitive and specific technique for detecting these parasites.

Utilities:

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

Specimen requirements: 0.2 ml feces or rectal swab.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix 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 real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected