Strongylosis in Equines: a Review

We review strongylosis covering all aspects as it is one of the most important internal parasitic diseases of equines caused by nematodes of strongylidae family affecting more than 80% equids in the world. Majority of the work published has been focused on incidence, epidemiology and control. Strongylus vulgaris, one of the large strongyle is the most prevalent and pathogenic. Small strongyles exhibit mild symptoms of diarrhea and weight loss in the host whereas large strongyles show major pathogenesis. The pathogenesis encompasses severe enteropathy, verminous arteritis, damage of visceral organs, embolisim / thrombosis leading to death and is mainly attributed to migrating larvae of parasites. In this report the scientific knowledge about development, pathogenesis, clinical findings, diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and control of strongylosis in equines has been reviewed for a period of last nine decades. Inspite of substantial improvements in understanding the life cycle of strongyles, adopting latest diagnostic techniques at molecular level and implementing the most modern control measures / treatment the disease is still prevalent and could not be eradicated from any part of the world. It is currently impossible to measure or detect the encysted larval load in living horse, however there are exciting advancements in diagnosis of disease by means of molecular approaches such as cyathostomin gut-associated larval antigen-1 (Cy-GALA-1). The current strategy engaged in seasonal use of anthelmentics is the key to arrest the disease and overcome anthelmentic resistance. We conclude that there is still a need to thrash approaches / scientific knowledge towards understanding the problem to reduce economic / performance losses. The scientific studies for development of an effective vaccine are considered the need of the day.