Recreational horses as hosts of protozoan and nematode

Abstract

Recreational horses host many groups of parasites which in some cases can also be a threat to humans.
The presented study focuses on intestinal protozoa and nematodes. The aim of this study was to determine
the taxonomic variety of selected intestinal parasites found in recreational horses and their molecular identification in faecal samples. The stool samples were obtained from recreational horses from various studs in
Lower Silesia. Molecular methods were used to detect intestinal parasites. After isolation of genetic material
from stool samples, PCR reactions were performed using different molecular markers – 18S rRNA, gp60 and
ITS rRNA. The products were sequenced. Among the 203 tested stool samples, 34 were found to contain the
desired intestinal protozoa. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 5.4%, and prevalence of Eimeriidae was
14.9%. This study allowed to identify Cryptosporidium horse genotype. The presence of Eimeria sp., Isospora
sp. and Cryptosporidium spp. was also confirmed in the positive samples. Nematodes belonging to subfamily
Cyathostominae were identified by DNA sequencing. Additionally among nematodes Oxyuris and Parascaris
were noted. Co-infections of nematodes with microparasites were also recorded.
„Research project supported/partly supported by program „Excellence initiative – research university” for years 2020-
2026 for University of Wrocław” (BPIDUB.4610.7.2021.KP.A)