Molecular identification of tapeworms from Konik Polski horses from Biebrza National Park

Tapeworm infections in Konik Polski horses from Biebrza National Park were investigated in this study. Faecal samples were collected 10 times: in 2012 - 1 time, in 2013 - 4 times, in 2014 - 4 times and in 2015 - 1 time. In total, 162 faecal samples were collected and tested. Faecal egg counts (FECs) method was used in the study. Positive samples with cestode eggs were noted only twice - in October 2012 and December 2013 in two adult mares (9 and 11 years old). The determined prevalence was surprisingly low comparing to other studies, 4.3% in October 2013 and 28.5% in December 2013. Parasite genomic DNA was isolated from posterior proglottids of tapeworms found in horse faeces after deworming, PCR technique was applied in order to determine the species of these tapeworms. No specific products were obtained using primers specific to rDNA sequence, whereas, a 620 bp fragment encoding mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) was amplified and sequenced. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a 100% homology to a corresponding fragment form Anoplocephala perfoliata tapeworm originating from a horse from the Czech Republic. To our knowledge this is the first report applying molecular techniques to tapeworm identification in Konik Polski horses.