Are small strongyles (Cyathostominae) involved in horse colic occurrence?

Intestinal parasites has been traditionally regarded as a possible cause of horse colic (Love, 1992, Equine Vet. J., 24:5-9); however, the evidence of small strongyles causing intestinal disorders has never been clearly demonstrated and the evidence of parasites causing colic in horse was recently questioned (Uhlinger, 2007, Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract., 23:509-517). Aim of the study was the comparison of parasitological status between subjects with or without colic syndrome, with particular regard to small strongyles infections. Quali-quantitative coprological analysis were performed on 86 horses referred to the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences: 43 horses with colic (22 and 21 treated with medical or surgical management, respectively) and 43 horses referred for different reasons (controls). Coprocolture was performed on positive samples to differentiate small strongyles and S. vulgaris infections. Data were analysed using STATA 11.2. Strongyle egg prevalence was 39.5%, the mean number of eggs per gram of faeces (epg) was 145.34. Four horses (4.6%) had S. vulgaris infection. Negative binomial multiple regression highlighted no influence of horse sex on epg, while there was a negative relationship between age (in month) and epg; the same analysis revealed a significant difference of epg (p