Study of risk factors for the infection by Parascaris spp. of young equids in Normandy (Northwestern France)
Abstract
Parascaris spp. are among the main intestinal nematodes affecting young equids. Recent epidemiological data on the species' prevalence and the factors associated with egg shedding remain limited in France. The aim of this study was therefore to estimate the prevalence of Parascaris spp. in equids (horses, ponies and donkeys) under two years of age in Normandy, and identify the factors associated with shedding. A survey of husbandry practices was carried out among keepers, and dung samples were analysed using the Mini-FLOTAC method. A multivariate statistical model was used to identify factors associated with the shedding of Parascaris spp. eggs. The study – from March to December 2024 inclusive – focused on 780 equids under two years of age (290 foals and 490 yearlings) from 72 farms in the Normandy region of north-west France. The overall prevalence of Parascaris spp. was 11.9%, with significantly higher levels among foals (23.8%) than among yearlings (4.9%). Age emerged as the main factor associated with the risk of shedding. Other factors, such as the time elapsed (less than 13 weeks) since the last anthelmintic treatment and certain management practices – notably mixed grazing with adult equids – were associated with a reduction in shedding. These findings provide new insights into the epidemiology of Parascaris spp. in young equids in France, and highlight the importance of taking age and husbandry practices into account to recommend appropriate control strategies.
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BibTeX
@article{bourrier2026study,
title = {{Study of risk factors for the infection by Parascaris spp. of young equids in Normandy (Northwestern France)}},
author = {Kenza Bourrier and Camille Roche and Nicolas Larcher and Grégory Karadjian and Aurélie Merlin},
journal = {Veterinary Parasitology : Regional Studies and Reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101581},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05781652v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Study of risk factors for the infection by Parascaris spp. of young equids in Normandy (Northwestern France)
AU - Kenza Bourrier
AU - Camille Roche
AU - Nicolas Larcher
AU - Grégory Karadjian
AU - Aurélie Merlin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - Veterinary Parasitology : Regional Studies and Reports
DO - 10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101581
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05781652v1
AB - Parascaris spp. are among the main intestinal nematodes affecting young equids. Recent epidemiological data on the species' prevalence and the factors associated with egg shedding remain limited in France. The aim of this study was therefore to estimate the prevalence of Parascaris spp. in equids (horses, ponies and donkeys) under two years of age in Normandy, and identify the factors associated with shedding. A survey of husbandry practices was carried out among keepers, and dung samples were analysed using the Mini-FLOTAC method. A multivariate statistical model was used to identify factors associated with the shedding of Parascaris spp. eggs. The study – from March to December 2024 inclusive – focused on 780 equids under two years of age (290 foals and 490 yearlings) from 72 farms in the Normandy region of north-west France. The overall prevalence of Parascaris spp. was 11.9%, with significantly higher levels among foals (23.8%) than among yearlings (4.9%). Age emerged as the main factor associated with the risk of shedding. Other factors, such as the time elapsed (less than 13 weeks) since the last anthelmintic treatment and certain management practices – notably mixed grazing with adult equids – were associated with a reduction in shedding. These findings provide new insights into the epidemiology of Parascaris spp. in young equids in France, and highlight the importance of taking age and husbandry practices into account to recommend appropriate control strategies.
SN - 2405-9390
ER -