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Papakonstantinou GI, Arsenakis I, Pourlis A, Papatsiros VG. Animal Health and Productivity of Organic Greek Pig Farms: The Current Situation and Prospects for Sustainability. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2834. [PMID: 37760234 PMCID: PMC10526005 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A review of organic pig production in Greece was carried out. The aim was to present updated information on the production, development and health status of organic pig farming in Greece and potential prospects for sustainability and future development. The indigenous Greek Black Pig is the main breed reared in Greek organic pig farms. All the reasons why Greek Black Pig breeding is ideal for organic farming are mentioned. Furthermore, respiratory and parasitic infections are the most common health problems, while high piglet mortality rates are the main welfare issue in Greek organic pig farming. Concerns about how farmers and authorities should utilize the demands of modern consumers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios I. Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikalon 224, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
| | - Ioannis Arsenakis
- Farma Messinias—Provision of Swine Herd Health Services, 12241 Egaleo, Greece;
| | - Aris Pourlis
- Laboratory of Anatomy Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikalon 224, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
| | - Vasileios G. Papatsiros
- Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikalon 224, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
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Abstract
The recent and ever-growing problem of boar (Sus scrofa forms including wild boar, hybrid and feral pig) expansion is a very complex issue in wildlife management. The damages caused to biodiversity and the economies are addressed in different ways by the various countries, but research is needed to shed light on the causal factors of this emergency before defining a useful collaborative management policy. In this review, we screened more than 280 references published between 1975–2022, identifying and dealing with five hot factors (climate change, human induced habitat modifications, predator regulation on the prey, hybridization with domestic forms, and transfaunation) that could account for the boar expansion and its niche invasion. We also discuss some issues arising from this boar emergency, such as epizootic and zoonotic diseases or the depression of biodiversity. Finally, we provide new insights for the research and the development of management policies.
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Bilska-Zając E, Różycki M, Korpysa-Dzirba W, Bełcik A, Ziętek-Barszcz A, Włodarczyk-Ramus M, Gontarczyk A, Cencek T. Trichinella Outbreaks on Pig Farms in Poland in 2012-2020. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111504. [PMID: 34832659 PMCID: PMC8621077 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichinella nematodes continue to circulate in various hosts both in the domestic and sylvatic cycles. In the majority of countries in Europe, wild boars have been noticed as a primary source of Trichinella spp. infections in humans. However, in some regions, the meat of pigs containing Trichinella spp. larvae can still be a cause of trichinellosis. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to determine and present actual data on the occurrence of Trichinella spp. on pig farms (Sus scrofa f. domestica) in Poland. In this study, over 194 million pigs, slaughtered for commercial and personal purposes between 2012 and 2020, were tested with a digestion method according to the official rules for Trichinella control. Positive results were noticed in 172 pigs which gives an overall prevalence of 0.000088%. On seven farms, rats (Rattus norvegicus) infected with Trichinella spp. were also discovered. The species identification showed pigs were infected with Trichinella spiralis on 26 farms, and on four farms pigs with Trichinella britovi infections were found. Therefore, it is important to constantly monitor pigs for the presence of these parasites, especially in view of the growing interest in organic meat originated from ecological farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Bilska-Zając
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue, 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (E.B.-Z.); (M.R.); (A.B.); (M.W.-R.); (A.G.); (T.C.)
| | - Mirosław Różycki
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue, 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (E.B.-Z.); (M.R.); (A.B.); (M.W.-R.); (A.G.); (T.C.)
| | - Weronika Korpysa-Dzirba
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue, 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (E.B.-Z.); (M.R.); (A.B.); (M.W.-R.); (A.G.); (T.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Aneta Bełcik
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue, 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (E.B.-Z.); (M.R.); (A.B.); (M.W.-R.); (A.G.); (T.C.)
| | - Anna Ziętek-Barszcz
- Department of Epidemiology and Risk Assessment, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue, 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Włodarczyk-Ramus
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue, 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (E.B.-Z.); (M.R.); (A.B.); (M.W.-R.); (A.G.); (T.C.)
| | - Aneta Gontarczyk
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue, 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (E.B.-Z.); (M.R.); (A.B.); (M.W.-R.); (A.G.); (T.C.)
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue, 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (E.B.-Z.); (M.R.); (A.B.); (M.W.-R.); (A.G.); (T.C.)
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Papatsiros V, Athanasiou LV, Stougiou D, Christodoulopoulos G, Boutsini S. Trichinella britovi as a risk factor for alternative pig production systems in Greece and Europe. VETERINARY RESEARCH FORUM : AN INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL 2020; 11:199-205. [PMID: 33133455 PMCID: PMC7597790 DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2020.119257.2821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Trichinellosis is an important zoonosis and the most common source of human infection is meat from pigs and wild boars. The European Union (EU) supports alternative pig production systems (organic and free-ranging) as sustainable farming systems. However, these systems that allow outdoor access for farm animals, may create new or reintroduce old risks to public health. During the last years, alternative pig production systems (free-ranging or organic pig) are growing in popularity in Greece due to the increasing interest of consumers for organic products. The majority of the trichinellosis outbreaks in the EU were associated with pork and meat products including wild boars. In Greece, from 2009 to 2012, 37 Trichinella spp. positive free-ranging pigs were reported in free-ranging pig farms of Northern-Eastern Greece (31 were identified as T. britovi). The recent re-emerging present of the Trichinella spp. infections in free-ranging pigs and wild boars are a high risk for the consumers and should alarm the Public Health Authorities in Greece and the EU. During the last years, the organic or free-ranging pig production systems are growing in popularity in the EU. However, these systems increase the risk of Trichinella spp. infections, since pigs are possible to be infected by feeding on carcasses or the offal of hunted or dead wild animals. For this reason, it is important for Public Health Authorities to be focused on the training of hunters and farmers in order to avoid the transmission among free-ranging pigs and prevent the cases of human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Papatsiros
- Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Labrini Vasileiou Athanasiou
- Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Despoina Stougiou
- National Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Centre of Athens Veterinary Institutions, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Christodoulopoulos
- Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Sofia Boutsini
- National Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Centre of Athens Veterinary Institutions, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
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Abstract
Trichinellosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the nematodes of the genus Trichinella, through the consumption of raw or semi-raw infected meat from swine, horses and wild animals. This disease has been sporadically reported in Greece since 1946. The aim of the present study was to describe a trichinellosis case in a patient hospitalized in northern Greece, in 2017. A 47-year-old male was admitted to hospital with intense generalized myalgia, periorbital swelling, fever, exhaustion and anorexia. Biochemical and haematological profile showed eosinophilia and elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Anti-Trichinella spp. IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by serology and Trichinella spp. larvae were found in two muscle biopsies by compressorium and histological examination. A larva collected from the muscle biopsy was identified as Trichinella britovi by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Albendazole (400 mg twice per day × 10 days) was administered and the clinical condition of the patient promptly improved. This is the first identification of T. britovi in a patient in Greece.
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Dmitric M, Debeljak Z, Vidanovic D, Sekler M, Vaskovic N, Matovic K, Karabasil N. Trichinella britoviin Game Meat Linked to Human Trichinellosis Outbreak in Serbia. J Parasitol 2018; 104:557-559. [DOI: 10.1645/18-42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marko Dmitric
- Veterinary Specialized Institute Kraljevo, Žička 34, 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia
| | - Zoran Debeljak
- Veterinary Specialized Institute Kraljevo, Žička 34, 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia
| | - Dejan Vidanovic
- Veterinary Specialized Institute Kraljevo, Žička 34, 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia
| | - Milanko Sekler
- Veterinary Specialized Institute Kraljevo, Žička 34, 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia
| | - Nikola Vaskovic
- Veterinary Specialized Institute Kraljevo, Žička 34, 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia
| | - Kazimir Matovic
- Veterinary Specialized Institute Kraljevo, Žička 34, 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia
| | - Nedjeljko Karabasil
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Boutsini S, Papatsiros V, Stougiou D, Marucci G, Liandris E, Athanasiou L, Papadoudis A, Karagiozopoulos E, Bisias A, Pozio E. Emerging Trichinella britovi infections in free ranging pigs of Greece. Vet Parasitol 2014; 199:278-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Guan F, Hou X, Nie G, Xiao Y, Zhang Q, Liu WQ, Li YL, Lei JH. Effect of Trichinella spiralis infection on the immune response to HBV vaccine in a mouse model. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2013; 10:882-7. [PMID: 23883369 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2013.1545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is the most effective and cost-effective way to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Collective data suggest that helminth infections affect immune responses to some vaccines. Therefore, it is important to reveal the effects of helminth infections on the efficacy of protective vaccines in countries with highly prevalent helminth infections. In the present work, effects of Trichinella spiralis infection on the protective efficacy of HBV vaccine in a mouse model were investigated. This study demonstrated that the enteric stage of T. spiralis infection could inhibit the proliferative response of spleen lymphocytes to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and lead to lower levels of anti-HBsAg antibodies, interferon-γ, and interleukin (IL)-2, along with higher levels of IL-4 and IL-5. However, these immunological differences are absent in the muscle stage of T. spiralis infection. The results suggest that the muscle stage of T. spiralis infection does not affect the immune response to HBV vaccination, while the enteric-stage infection results in a reduced immune response to HBsAg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Guan
- Department of Parasitology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, China
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