A STUDY ON THE PARASITES INFECTING EQUINES IN ASSIUT GOVERNORATE

A survey of the parasites of 184 equines (138 donkeys, 34 horses and 12 mules) from different localities in Assiut Governorate Upper Egypt, was done within the period from October 1986 till Sept. 1987. The following rates of infection were estimated: Nuttallia equi (10.3%), Babesia caballi (6.5%), Onchocera reticulata microflariae (32.6%) Setaria equina microfilariae (19.6%) Habronema muscae (45.8%), Parascaris equorum (12.5%) Strongylus vulgaris (60.4%), Setaria equina adults (22.9%), Fasciola gigantica (6.3%) and Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (8.3%). The distribution of these parasi tes among donkeys, horses and mules was estimated and recorded. Microfilariae of Setaria equina and Onchocerca reticulata are for the first time found to be completely non-periodic, showing the same parasitaemia levels day and night. Seasonal variation of microfilarial infections is studied and was found to be more common during autumn, spring and summer than winter. The present work is the first survey of equine parasites in Assiut Upper Egypt.