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).