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Cited by 11Helminth infection and controlVeterinary Equine Medical ResearchToxoplasma gondii Research Studies

Prevalence of endo‐ and ecto‐parasites of equines in Iran: A systematic review

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Khamesipour, Faham, Taktaz‐Hafshejani, Taghi, Tebit, Kwenti E., Razavi, Seyed Mostafa, Hosseini, Seyed Reza·2021·Veterinary Medicine and Science
DOI 10.1002/vms3.321PMC PMC7840198
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Abstract

Equines are subject to infection with many parasites, which threaten their health. In the present study, we systematically reviewed existing literature on the prevalence of endo‐ and ectoparasites of equines in Iran. Major electronic databases, including PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scientific Information Database (SID), were searched (Last updated 11/05/2018) for relevant literature of parasites that have been identified from equines in Iran. Of the 1809 titles produced by bibliographic search, 38 were included in the review. Twenty‐seven of the studies were on horses, six on donkeys, three on both horses and donkeys, and one study was on both horses and mules. Furthermore, 24 of the studies reported infections caused by protozoa, thirteen by helminths, two by ectoparasites, and one by both protozoa and helminths. The overall pooled prevalence of parasitic infection was 28.8% (95%CI: 22.9–35.7, I2 = 93.4%). Helminths were the most prevalent parasites 46.7% (95% CI: 24.1–70.7, I2 = 96.0%). Furthermore, donkeys were the most affected equine, with a prevalence of 70.7% (95% CI: 53.2–83.7, I2 = 92.5%). The protozoa frequently reported included nine species belonging to the genera: Neospora, Toxoplasma, Theileria, Babesia and Eimeria. Also, the helminths frequently reported included 21 species belonging to the genera: Strongylus, Dicrocoelium, Oxyuris, Habronema, Echinococcus, Dictyocaulus, Cyathostomum, Probstmayria, Anoplocephala, Setaria and Fasciola. Ticks were the only ectoparasites frequently reported. Parasitic fly species of the genera Gasterophilus were also reported. The study‐level risk of bias was likely to be high because of differences in study design. Parasitic infections of equines in Iran are frequent and caused by a diversity of parasites, which threatens the health and well‐being of these animals. Further research is needed in the area to identify the risk factors of infection for effective control of the parasites.

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Authors
Khamesipour, F., Taktaz‐Hafshejani, T., Tebit, K. E., Razavi, S. M., & Hosseini, S. R.
Affiliations
  • Shiraz University (IR)
  • Islamic Azad University of Shahrekord (IR)
  • Department of Microbiology and Parasitology University of Buea Buea Cameroon
Corresponding author
Hosseini, Seyed Reza
ORCID
Venue
Veterinary Medicine and Science
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2020-07-09
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
25-34
ISSN
2053-1095 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1002/vms3.321
PMC
PMC7840198
OpenAlex
W3041276544
Cited by
11
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2
FWCI
0.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Veterinary Medicine and Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Helminth infection and control
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Equine › Veterinary Equine Medical Research
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
Keywords
equine parasites, horses, donkeys, mules, parasite prevalence, helminths, protozoa, ectoparasites, ticks, Gasterophilus, Fasciola, Strongylus, Neospora, Toxoplasma, Eimeria, Iran, parasitic infection control, infection risk factors, zoonoses
MeSH terms
Animals, Ectoparasitic Infestations, Helminthiasis, Animal, Horse Diseases, Horses, Iran, Protozoan Infections, Animal, Prevalence

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