Final answer:
Equine cestode infections are diagnosed by detecting eggs or proglottids in fecal samples, and treatment usually involves medications like praziquantel. Molecular methods can assist in precise identification, while serological tests can confirm infections, despite potential cross-reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The infection caused by cestodes, or tapeworms, in equines can be diagnosed using fecal flotation/centrifugation techniques, which allow for the identification of tapeworm eggs or proglottids in the stool samples. Advanced diagnostic methods like serological testing, including antigen testing, may also be employed, but these can have limitations such as cross-reactions. Once identified, treatment options include drugs like praziquantel or albendazole. It is important to collect stool samples over multiple days using concentration techniques to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Molecular methods and imaging technologies such as CT and MRI can help in the detection of cysts, but they're not widely available. It is essential to differentiate the various types of parasitic infections, as cestodes are one of several helminth groups, and molecular methods can help with precise identification. Moreover, the life cycle of cestodes, involving intermediate and definitive hosts, underscores the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment to curb the transmission cycle.