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The taxonomic status of the 3 species of Onchocerca currently recognized in the USA, and other previously recognized species, is under debate. O cervicalis is found in the ligamentum nuchae and possibly other sites in Equidae. In cattle, O gutturosa locates in the ligamentum nuchae, and O lienalis in the gastrosplenic ligament. Adults are associated with connective tissues; they are very thin and 3–60 cm long. Microfilariae are found in the dermis and on rare occasions circulating in peripheral blood. The microfilariae lack a sheath and are 200–250 μm long with a short, sharply pointed tail. Culicoides spp (see Flies: Biting Midges) are the intermediate hosts for O cervicalis, and Simulium spp for O gutturosa and O lienalis.
Clinical Findings
O cervicalis has been associated with fistulous withers, poll evil, dermatitis, and uveitis in horses. However, because large numbers of the parasite are common in horses without these diseases, there is some debate about its role in the pathogenesis of these conditions.
Adults in the ligamentum nuchae induce inflammatory reactions ranging from acute edematous necrosis to chronic granulomatous changes, resulting in marked fibrosis and mineralization. Mineralized nodules are more common in older horses. Although lesions are found in these areas, presumably associated with dead parasites, it is generally agreed that fistulous withers and poll evil are not caused by O cervicalis infections.
Microfilariae concentrate in the skin of the ventral midline. Large numbers can be found in horses without dermatitis as well as in horses with dermatitis of the face, neck, chest, withers, forelegs, and abdomen. These lesions may be pruritic and often include areas of scale, crusts, ulceration, alopecia, and depigmentation. The dermatitis may be associated with an immunologic reaction to dead and dying microfilariae. Although the pathogenesis of these lesions is unclear, treatment with microfilaricidal drugs may result in dramatic improvement. Allergic reactions to the bites of small flies may produce similar lesions or exacerbate microfilaria-associated dermatitis. Thus, diagnosis of Onchocerca-associated dermatitis may be based on responsiveness to microfilaricidal treatment.
Microfilariae also accumulate in the eyes of horses, but not all agree that a clear association has been made between microfilariae and equine uveitis (see Equine Recurrent Uveitis) or other ocular lesions in horses.
Diagnosis
The most effective method of diagnosis is by skin biopsy, preferably a full-thickness biopsy ≥6 mm. The tissue is minced and macerated in isotonic saline for several hours. Microfilariae are concentrated and stained with new methylene blue after removal of skin pieces. The microfilariae can be differentiated microscopically from Setaria spp, which are found in the blood of cattle and Equidae, by the presence of a sheath around Setaria.
Treatment
No treatment is effective against the adults. Ivermectin (200 μg/kg) and moxidectin (400 μg/kg) are efficacious (>99%) against microfilariae and produce marked clinical improvement in horses with onchocercal dermatitis. A small portion of horses infected with O cervicalis react to the treatment with a marked, edematous ventral midline swelling 1–3 days after treatment. Ocular lesions have also been reported. These reactions usually resolve spontaneously, but symptomatic treatment may be necessary.
Last full review/revision July 2011 by Thomas R. Klei, PhD
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