Trichostrongylus axei

Also known as:

Trichostrongylus extenuatus

Hosts

Cattle, sheep, deer, horse, goat, donkey, pig and occasionally man.

Identification

T. axei are small trichostrongyle, typically aroun 5mm. They are grey when young, but become reddish brown when they mature. The spiculus are dissimilar and are not all of the same length.

Life-Cycle

The life cycle of T. axei is typical of a trichostrongyloid, and is direct. The eggs develop

• Typical non-migratory LC confined to stomach wall.
• Prepatent period = 3 1/2 weeks.

Pathogenicity

• Similar to Ostertagia, except L3 penetrate mucosa between gastric glands. Leads to hyperplastic nodular lesions (several cms diameter) and erosions where epithelium is lost. Not usually a primary pathogen in horses.