Tapeworm testing: Coprological and antibody‐based approaches across colic types in a German equine hospital population

Summary Background The association between tapeworm infection and equine colic is established, but gaps remain regarding specific colic types. Objectives To assess the relationship between tapeworm test results and equine colic types: The study aimed to determine if ileocaecal disorders (IC) are more frequently associated with Anoplocephala spp. infection in comparison to nonileocaecal disorders (NIC) and a control group (C) that did not exhibit any gastrointestinal disorders. As part of the investigation, the use of pooled faecal samples to improve tapeworm egg detection was also assessed. Study design Cross‐sectional study. Methods Horses with gastrointestinal disorders (GIT) were divided into two groups: IC and NIC. Single and pooled faecal samples were examined for tapeworm eggs and compared with each other. Anoplocephala ‐specific IgG(T) antibodies were measured in serum and saliva. Coprology and antibody test results were compared between IC, NIC and C groups (chi‐square test, Fisher's test) to explore the relationship between tapeworm infection and clinical outcome. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 504 horses were included in the GIT (73 in IC/431 in NIC) and 25 in the C group. Three single faecal samples and one pooled sample from the GIT horses were positive for tapeworm eggs, with no eggs seen in samples from the C group. Tapeworm ELISA positivity in IC (serum: 11.1%, 95% CI: 4.9%–20.7%; saliva: 24.2%, 95% CI: 11.1%–42.3%) did not differ significantly from C (serum: 8.7%, 95% CI: 1.1%–28.1%; saliva: 29.2%, 95% CI: 12.6%–51.1%) or NIC group (serum only: 10.3%, 95% CI: 7.5%–13.7%). Main limitations Low number of tapeworm‐positive samples, small control group, pre‐selected hospital patients. Conclusions In the present study, no significant relationship was identified between tapeworm test positivity and gastrointestinal disease/ileocaecal disorders. Pooled faecal sample testing did not enhance detection of tapeworm eggs.