Funding award to develop horse parasite test

Scottish scientists have been awarded funding to develop a blood test to detect small redworm parasites in horses.

The research funding was given to the Moredun Research Institute by the Horse Trust, which has also tasked the organisation with investigating a saliva based adaption of the test.

The test is in development at Austin Davis Biologics Ltd – the service provider of Equisal Tapeworm testing – and the collaborative research project will also involve input from the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky.

Small redworms – cyathostomins – are extremely common and horses with many immature worms in their guts can develop sever colitis, which can be fatal.

At present Moxidectin is the only worming product used to tackle the worms and, in order to protect its effectiveness, targeted treatment programmes are required.

Moredun said direct methods for detection of all stages of small redworm did not exist, and the availability of a diagnostic test to detect all stages of the worm’s growth would enable informed treatment decisions by vets.

“We are delighted to have received this funding; the future availability of these tests will revolutionise the way in which veterinarians approach small redworm control in horses,” said Professor Jacqui Matthews from the Moredun.

Small redworms are very common in horses.