2024-05-27 09:34:13
Cupworms are the major digestive parasite of equids: all horses entering pasture are exposed to them. Most infected animals will not show symptoms. However, if the infection is severe, these gastrointestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, stunted growth, weight loss, and even death in young animals.
In order to limit economic losses, control measures against these parasites are mainly based on the frequent use of antiparasitic drugs to eliminate the parasite in the host and prevent reinfection. There are three families of antiparasitic drugs: benzimidazole (fenbendazole), ectoine (pyrantel), and macrolides (ivermectin and moxidectin).
The risk of developing resistance to antiparasitic drugs is particularly high in racehorse breeding
« To avoid any impact on the health and growth of horses, breeders tend to Systemic administration of antiparasitic drugs without prior assessment of infection risk », explains Aurélie Merlin, Research Program Manager at the Equine Disease Physiology Pathology and Epidemiology Unit at the ANSES Animal Health Laboratory. ” These practices often lead to the overuse of antiparasitic drugs, particularly in racehorse breeding, which contributes to the selection of parasites that are resistant to these products. ”. In this area, extensive travel between countries, whether for breeding, training or competition, increases the risk of the introduction and spread of resistant parasites within and between farms.
Ivermectin-resistant group of Cytostomata identified in France for first time
ANSES scientists conducted a study of thoroughbred horses used for competition, whose breeders were suspected of being resistant to several antiparasitic molecules. Young horses from this breed receive treatment for several weeks with a molecule that belongs to one of three antiparasitic families authorized for use in horses: fenbendazole, pyrantel, or ivermectin. After each treatment, cytosol eggs continued to be found in the horse’s feces, indicating resistance to the three antiparasitic drugs. ” The existence of worm populations that are resistant to fenbendazole or pyrantel is known, but this is the first time that a population of helminths resistant to ivermectin has been found in France. », affirms Aurélie Merlin. This is also the first time a population has Simultaneously resistant to three families of antiparasitic drugs authorized in France were discovered in the same breeding.
Rational use of antiparasitic drugs is necessary
Assessing the level of resistance to antiparasitic drugs in France and refining recommendations For horse owners, more research on other farms and with other horses is necessary. However, this example illustrates the need for more responsible use of antiparasitic drugs. In fact, it is possible to treat only animals that shed large numbers of eggs to reduce overall infection levels on the farm and protect the most sensitive animals: ” The scientist recalled that some horses have a natural ability to block infection or live with it without impact on their health or well-being and without the need for treatment. On the other hand, overly frequent use of antiparasitic drugs not only builds resistance but also disrupts the horse’s microbiota and causes toxicity to the animal and the environment. »
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