Equine trypanosomiasis, a systematic review: Disease management

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Parasitology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Equine trypanosomiasis is a neglected protozoal disease affecting horses globally.
• Effective disease management strategies are crucial for controlling its impact on individual animals and populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of equine trypanosomiasis management on disease severity and prevalence.
• To compare intervention strategies against no intervention in equines.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies published between 1980 and 2022.
• Included naturally occurring cases of equine trypanosomiasis from various countries.
• Assessed risk of bias using ROBINS-I and performed descriptive data synthesis.

Main Results:

• Trypanocides were effective for parasitaemia clearance in Trypanosoma evansi infections, but relapses were common (25%).
• Treatment efficacy decreased significantly with neurological signs, leading to high mortality.
• Multifaceted control programs and early treatment (<2 days) showed potential in reducing disease prevalence.
• Reported side effects of treatments were rare (1%), though severe reactions like shock from Isometamidium chloride can occur.

Conclusions:

• Short-term treatment response for haemolymphatic trypanosomiasis is positive, but requires protocol optimization to minimize relapses and neurotrypanosomiasis.
• Relying solely on trypanocidal treatment is insufficient; integrated management approaches are necessary.
• While generally safe, certain trypanocides can cause severe adverse events, necessitating careful administration.