The Veterinary Record 162:50-53 (2008)
© 2008 British Veterinary Association
Serological changes observed in horses infected with Anoplocephala perfoliata after treatment with praziquantel and natural reinfection
J. B. Abbott, BVM&S, CertEM(IntMed), DipECEIM, MRCVS1,5,
D. J. Mellor, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS2,
E. J. Barrett, BSc, MSc3,
C. J. Proudman, MA, VetMB, PhD, CertEO, FRCVS4 and
S. Love, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS1
1 Division of Companion Animal Sciences, Institute of Comparative Medicine,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School,
Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH
2 Division of Animal Production and Public Health, Institute of Comparative
Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary
School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH
3 Virbac Ltd, Woolpit Business Park, Windmill Avenue, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
IP30 9UP
4 Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Leahurst,
Neston CH64 7TE
5 Oakham Veterinary Hospital, Ashwell Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15
7QH
The serological changes in two groups of horses known to be harbouring
Anoplocephala perfoliata were studied; 12 were treated with
1·5 mg/kg praziquantel and 200 µg/kg ivermectin, and 14 were treated
with 200 µg/kg ivermectin. Serological and faecal analyses were carried out
on each animal at intervals for 758 days. The titres of antibodies specific
for A perfoliata decreased from the day of treatment to day 28 in
both groups, and continued to decrease in the group treated with praziquantel
and ivermectin, with the first significant decrease from the other group at
day 121. From day 151 to day 295 the first significant increase in antibody
levels in the group treated with both drugs was observed; no A
perfoliata eggs were detected in the faeces of these animals until day
295 when five of the 10 were positive.
Copyright © 2008 British Veterinary Association
