Prevalence, risk factors, and species diversity of strongylid nematodes in domesticated Thai horses: insights from ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding
Issued Date
2024-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
09320113
eISSN
14321955
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85212289042
Journal Title
Parasitology Research
Volume
123
Issue
12
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Parasitology Research Vol.123 No.12 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Hamad M.H., Jitsamai W., Chinkangsadarn T., Ngangam T.S., Wattanapornpilom T., Naraporn D., Ouisuwan S., Taweethavonsawat P. Prevalence, risk factors, and species diversity of strongylid nematodes in domesticated Thai horses: insights from ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding. Parasitology Research Vol.123 No.12 (2024). doi:10.1007/s00436-024-08438-0 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/102516
Title
Prevalence, risk factors, and species diversity of strongylid nematodes in domesticated Thai horses: insights from ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Strongylid nematodes represent a major health and performance concern for equids globally. However, the epidemiology of strongylid infections in horse populations remains largely unexplored in Thailand. This study investigated the prevalence of strongylid parasites and the associated risk factors in domesticated horses in Thailand. Additionally, the study utilized ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding to characterize the diversity and co-occurrence patterns of strongylid species. Of the 408 horses examined, 50.98% tested positive for strongyle infection, with an average intensity of 445.67 ± 639.58 eggs. Notably, only 25.74% exhibited fecal egg counts of ≥ 200 eggs per gram (EPG), highlighting the need for targeted deworming protocols. Significantly higher EPG values were observed in yearling horses (p = 0.001) and those kept in outdoor pastures (p = 0.0001). Metabarcoding identified 15 strongylid species, with Cylicostephanus longibursatus being the most abundant (mean relative abundance: 37.30%, SD = 31.16%). No Strongylus species were detected. Alpha diversity analysis revealed no significant differences in species richness and evenness across horse groups, while beta diversity analysis showed significant dissimilarities (p = 0.004), primarily driven by Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cyathostomum pateratum, and Cylicostephanus calicatus, which contributed to over 60% of the variation. Species co-occurrence patterns were largely random, with a limited number of positive (n = 5) and negative (n = 2) species pair associations. These findings provide essential insights into the current state of strongylid infections in Thai horses and offer a foundation for future research and management strategies.