An Update in Helminth Fauna and Other Equine Parasites in Cuba

Abstract

Understanding of parasitic diseases begins by knowing the species of a population. Accordingly, information to identify the equine helminth faunas of Cuba was re-collected due to the gradual loss of data caused by deterioration of the printed scientific literature. These parasitic populations were first identified by Doctor Idelfonso Pérez Vigueras during the first half of the 21st Century. Further studies were conducted on horse populations in different provinces. Currently, 34 helminths have been properly reported, including nine benzimidazole-resistant species of cyathostomes in several herds. As a result of a large number of nematodes described in the international scientific literature, and due to the insufficient studies made in Cuba, the equine helminth faunas probably include a larger number of species. Hence, further comprehensive studies should be conducted on this topic.

Keywords

• equines
• helminths
• parasites