Parafilaria spp.
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General
- Filarial nematode (<6cm long).
- Subcutaneous nodules and intermuscular connective tissue.
- Found in warmer countries (Asia, Africa, Europe, South America; UK in imported horses only).
Life-Cycle
- Indirect LC, horn fly (Haematobia) intermediate host.
- Female worms perforate nodules and lay eggs on skin surface; hatch to L1.
- Fly ingests L1 during feeding, develops to L3 inside fly.
- New host infected when fly feeds on skin wound, L3 enters and matures to adult worm.
- Prepatent period = 8-10months.
Pathogenicity
- Female worm punctures skin to lay eggs - bleeding points ("sweating blood"); most active in warm weather after horse exercised.
- Lesions only temporary, though reappear the following spring (worms live several years).