Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Distinction Paper

Degree Name

Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies-BS

Advisor

Dr. Steffanie Burk

First Committee Member

Dr. Steffanie Burk

Second Committee Member

Dr. Sheri Birmingham

Third Committee Member

Dr. Grace Eder

Keywords

Inflammaging, interleukin-10, fenbendazole, moxidectin

Subject Categories

Higher Education

Abstract

Anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) is an immunoregulatory cytokine that increases when equines have high parasitic burdens. Horses that are also geriatric and obese have increased pro-inflammatory cytokines that are regulated by increased IL-10 to curb tissue damage. Helminth infections in horses are recommended to be treated if eggs per gram of feces are ≥ 200. The aim of this study is to characterize systemic inflammatory changes in horses that were administered an anthelmintic, either fenbendazole or moxidectin. Blood serum samples were collected from horses on day 0, 1, and 7 after anthelminthic administration, and were analyzed using a multiplex bead assay for IL-10 concentrations (pg/mL). Control and fenbendazole groups had no significant differences in IL-10 serum concentrations, and the helminths showed resistance to fenbendazole. The moxidectin group experienced parasitic die off, and IL-10 concentrations were increased in obese geriatric equines when compared to healthy geriatric equines. Obese and geriatric horses experience more systemic inflammation than healthy geriatric horses in the context of anthelminthic administration. Across the entire moxidectin treated group, IL-10 concentrations decreased between day 0 and day 7, suggesting moxidectin may have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

Acknowledgement 1

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Acknowledgement 2

1

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