Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasite Infections in Greek Swine Farrow-To-Finish Farms

Parasites burden in peri-urban free-roaming pigs in Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

BACKGROUND

Parasite infections, unlike regulated animal diseases, do not often receive attention. In fact, parasites are major sources of financial losses in pig enterprises, particularly in subsistence and small-scale pig production systems.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and quantify the prevalence of ecto- and endo-parasites among peri-urban free-roaming pigs (FRP) in Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), Mpumalanga.

METHODS

Pig owners were identified using the snowball sampling method since no sampling frame for FRP farmers exists. Stratified sampling was used to select pigs for sampling for ecto- and endo-parasites. A form was used to record the observations. Pairwise correlation analysis was performed using Stata 15.0. The SPSS V28.0 statistical package was used to perform the chi-square test (X2) to assess the distribution of parasites in different age groups. The prevalence of parasites was assessed in different age groups of pigs using multi-response crosstabs. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to estimate the marginal mean of parasites according to municipality. Statistical significance was assessed at α ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

Over 90% (91.2%) of the pigs examined were infested with at least one parasite, including Haematopinus suis, Sarcoptes scabiei, Ascaris suum, Fasciola hepatica, Trichuris suis, Strongylids, Coccidia spp, Moniezia expansa, and Siphonaptera spp. The correlation between Ascaris suum and body condition was weak but statistically significant (r = 0.24; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Policy makers, animal researchers and veterinary services must focus on developing policies, risk communication and community engagement materials, which target pig farmers in peri-urban areas such as Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism in pigs of Tripura, India

Pigs breeds are an important livestock species mostly reared by economically lower incomesection of people in India. Within North-Eastern (NE) states, pig husbandry is very much popular hence maintain the livelihood of the rural native population. Gastrointentinal (GI) parasitic infectionisone of the major constraint in profitable pig production in this area. In the present study, the GI parasitism was investigated in 388 pigs in the three districts of Tripura, NE State of India. The examination of faecal samples revealed 61.65% overall prevalence of parasitic infestation, precisely6 GI parasitic species; including 4 nematodes and 2 protozoa, while 46.91% were the mixed infections.Metastrongylus spp. (17.53%), Strongyloids spp. (19.33%),Trichuris spp. (15.98%), Coccidia spp. (12.37%), and Balantidium coli (10.82%), were detected, however, Ascaris spp. was the most prevalentrecording 32.47%. The epidemiological factors including: age, sex, season, breed, area and farming system wise when considered as markers of study showed the highest prevalence of GI parasites in grower(6-12 months) stage, female, monsoon season, non-descript breeds, Khowai district and free range farming system, recorded 71.52%, 67.27%, 65.78%, 65.71%, 64.57%, and 69.44%, respectively. Overall, our study provides a baseline data for further investigation and formulation of strategies for control of GI parasitism in pigs in Tripura.

Prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites on pig farms in Kalasin Province, Thailand

Background and Aim

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasite infections are the foremost and prevalent diseases that affect pigs in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of GI parasites among pigs in Kalasin Province. This study is the first attempt to understand the occurrence of GI parasites in pigs within Kalasin province using fecal samples as the methodology.

Materials and Methods

We collected 324 fecal samples directly from the rectums of pigs from May to July 2023. The formalin-ethyl acetate concentration and floatation methods were used to examine these samples. The eggs or oocysts were identified by observing their morphology and size under a light microscope.

Results

Of the 324 fecal samples examined, 276 tested positive for gastrointestinal parasitic infections, resulting in a prevalence rate of 85.19%. Nematodes were the most prevalent, with Strongyle-type infections being the highest in 267 cases (82.41%), followed by Ascaris suum in 222 cases (68.52%), and Trichuris spp. in 152 cases (46.91%). Strongyloides spp. infections were also observed in 92 cases (28.40%). However, trematode infection was relatively rare, with only Fasciola spp. found in 15 cases (4.63%). We identified Eimeria spp. in 87 cases (26.85%), Iodamoeba spp. in 70 cases (21.60%), Balantidium coli in 67 cases (20.68%), and Isospora spp. in 52 cases (16.05%). Notably, most of the positive fecal samples showed double infections with a prevalence rate of approximately 38.27%. Single infections were the next most common, accounting for 25.31% of the cases, followed by 3 parasites (14.81%) and 4-5 parasites (6.79%).

Conclusion

This study underscores the high endemicity of GI parasites among pigs in Kalasin province. To improve prevention and control measures, it is recommended to establish a health monitoring program that includes deworming and emphasizes good hygiene practices. The insights gained from this study will contribute to the enhancement of pig farming practices in Kalasin province, ultimately leading to improved production and profitability. In addition, future research should focus on detecting these parasites in Kalasin and exploring their relationship with human transmission cycle.

Satureja hortensis L. and Calendula officinalis L., Two Romanian Plants, with In Vivo Antiparasitic Potential against Digestive Parasites of Swine

Internal parasitic diseases of swine constitute a major welfare and health concern in low-input livestock farming. Due to an increase in chemical resistance, phytotherapeutic remedies have become an alternative for the prophylaxis and therapy of digestive parasitosis, albeit few remedies have been subjected to scientific validation. Low-input swine farming in Romania has adopted the traditional use of phytotherapy for controlling pathogens in livestock. The current study aimed to assess the antiparasitic potential of Calendula officinalis and Satureja hortensis against digestive parasites of swine in two low-input farms. The fecal samples were collected from sows, fatteners, and weaners, and were tested using the following coproparasitological methods: centrifugal sedimentation, flotation (Willis, McMaster egg counting technique), Ziehl-Neelsen stain modified by Henricksen, modified Blagg method, and in vitro nematode larvae/protozoan oocyst cultures. Six species of digestive parasites were diagnosed, namely Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum spp., Balantioides coli, Eimeria spp., and Cryptosporidium spp., in various combinations, dependent on the swine category. A dose of 140 mg/kg bw/day of C. officinalis and 100 mg/kg bw/day of S. hortensis powders administered for 10 consecutive days revealed a strong antiprotozoal and anthelmintic activity on the aforementioned parasites. The curative efficacy can be attributed to the presence of polyphenols, sterols, tocopherols, and methoxylated flavones. In conclusion, our results indicate that S. hortensis and C. officinalis are promising alternatives to the commercially available antiparasitics, enabling their use as natural antiparasitic products against gastrointestinal parasites in pigs.

Survey of intestinal parasites in swine farms raised in Western Nepal

BACKGROUND

Pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus), an important domestic livestock, are generally affected by helminth and protozoan parasites. Rearing pigs in rural regions in Nepal is a common practice for subsistence farming. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) in pigs raised in Western Nepal.

METHODS

A total of 200 faecal samples from commercial and smallholder farms were examined by wet mounts, flotation, sedimentation and staining techniques.

RESULTS

The results revealed that overall 86.5% of samples were found shedding oocysts or eggs of one or more GIPs. Three species of protozoa [Eimeria sp. (26%), Entamoeba coli (25.5%) and Coccidia (29%)] and nine species of helminths parasites (Ascaris suum (32.5%), Trichuris suis (30%), strongyle-type nematode (27.5%), hookworm (26%), Fasciola sp. (17.5%), Physaloptera sp. (17.5%), Strongyloides sp. (17.5%), Metastrongylus sp. (8%) and Oesophagostomum sp. (5.5%)] were identified. Female pigs were found to have higher protozoan infection than males, but such a difference was not noticed with regard to helminth parasites. Strongyles and Oesophagostomum infection were higher in commercial farms compared to smallholder farms, whereas the prevalences of E. coli and other protozoans were higher in smallholder farms. Among the contextual factors evaluated for association, weight and gender of pigs, and annual income and gender of managers/caretakers were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of GIPs in pigs. The overall prevalence of certain helminths such as strongyle-type nematode and A. suum was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the weight of pigs after adjusting other contextual factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study detected relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasites in domestic pig facilities. Molecular epidemiological studies are essential to verify the exact zoonotic potential of parasites carried by pigs in the region. An effective periodic monitoring of GIPs of pigs needs to be carried out to minimize their further dissemination.

Serological Assessment of Ascaris suum Exposure in Greek Pig Farms and Associated Risk Factors Including Lawsonia intracellularis

The effects of nematodes and bacteria on intestinal health are of primary importance in modern swine production. The aim of the present study was to assess the seropositivity status of Ascaris suum infection in fatteners in intensive swine farms in Greece and address possible risk factors, including Lawsonia intracellularis as a predisposing factor to swine ascariosis. In total, 360 blood serum samples from pigs in the late fattening period, from 24 Greek swine farrow-to-finish farms (15 samples/farm) were collected and tested with Svanovir® A. suum antibody ELISA and Ileitis antibody ELISA. The results demonstrated 34.4% seropositive samples for A. suum and 42.2% for L. intracellularis. The analysis of predisposing risk factors suggested that the frequency of application of anthelminthic treatment to sows more than two times per year was significantly associated with the lower likelihood of A. suum infection, whereas a greater likelihood of A. suum infection was observed in pigs with concurrent L. intracellularis exposure. The results highlight the importance of proper anthelminthic metaphylaxis of the breeding stock, as well as the likely outcome of concurrent exposure to two intestinal pathogens in pigs, implying a possible association between intestinal nematodes and bacteria in swine.

Prevalence of Swine Gastrointestinal Parasites in Two Free-Range Farms from Nord-West Region of Romania

Parasitic diseases cause significant economic losses in swine, including free-range swine farms, the number of which in Romania has increased in the last decades. The current study aimed to identify the parasitic profile of swine raised on two free-range (low-input) farms from Transylvania. Nine hundred sixty samples collected from weaners, fatteners, and sows were investigated by flotation, centrifugal sedimentation, modified Ziehl-Neelsen stained fecal smear, modified Blagg technique, and oocyst/egg cultures. The number of oocysts (OPG), cysts (CPG), and eggs (EPG) were counted per gram of fecal matter. The examination revealed parasitic infections with Balantidium coli, Eimeria spp., Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides ransomi and Cryptosporidium spp. Prevalence (P) and the mean intensity (MI) of the infections varied according to age, swine category, farm, and season. The overall prevalence in both free-range farms according to the age category was 63.2%—Eimeria spp., 70.31%—B. coli, 9.38%—Oesophagostomum spp., 3.75% S. ransomi, and 18.12% Cryptosporidium spp. in weaners. In fatteners Eimeria spp. revealed a prevalence of 50.93%, B. coli—72.5 %, A. suum—63.13%, T. suis—39.06%, and in sows Eimeria spp.—39.06%, B. coli—62.19%, A. suum—34.06%, Oesophagostomum spp.—27.19%, S. ransomi—1.56% and Cryptosporidium spp.—9.38%. The study revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences between age groups, seasons, and farms for all diagnosed parasites. Further research is required to better understand the epidemiology of these infections in swine from Transylvania.

Molecular Characterization of Entamoeba spp. in Pigs with Diarrhea in Southern China

Entamoeba spp. is a common zoonotic intestinal protozoan that can parasitize most vertebrates, including humans and pigs, causing severe intestinal diseases and posing a serious threat to public health. However, the available data on Entamoeba spp. infection in pigs are relatively limited in China. To characterize the infection of Entamoeba spp. within pigs in southern China, 1254 fecal samples of diarrheic pigs were collected from 37 intensive pig farms in Hunan, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces and the infection of Entamoeba spp. was investigated based on the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The overall infection rate of Entamoeba spp. was 58.4% (732/1254), including 38.4% (118/307) in suckling piglets, 51.2% (153/299) in weaned piglets, 57.9% (55/95) in fattening pigs and 73.4% (406/553) in sows, respectively. Moreover, age and the sampling cities in Jiangxi and Fujian provinces were found to be the key factors influencing the infection of Entamoeba spp. (p < 0.05). Two subtypes (ST1 and ST3) with a zoonotic potential of Entamoeba polecki and Entamoeba suis were detected in all age groups of pigs and all sampling areas, with the predominant species and predominant subtype being E. polecki (91.3%, 668/732) and E. polecki ST1 (573/668), respectively, and E. polecki ST1 + E. polecki ST3 (78.6%, 239/304) being the most frequently detected form of mixed infection. Severe Entamoeba spp. infection and zoonotic subtypes were found in this study, exposing a large public health problem in the study area, and strategies need to be implemented to eliminate the risk in the future.

Trichurosis on a Conventional Swine Fattening Farm with Extensive Husbandry—A Case Report

Helminth infections of swine regain clinical and economic importance due to the increasing demand for pork from extensive husbandry. Infections with Trichuris suis in pigs can lead to wasting and diarrhoea. This was demonstrated by a case of clinical trichurosis on a conventional fattening farm, where pigs were kept on pasture. While all pre-fattening pigs, which had not been on the pasture yet, had a good body condition and firm faeces, diarrhoea and poor body condition were observed in approximately half of the fattening pigs kept on pasture. Rectally collected faecal samples from all animals were investigated using faecal flotation. High numbers of T. suis eggs were detected in 17 out of 32 faecal samples, while all samples from pre-fattening pigs were negative. The highest number of eggs per gram of faeces was 778,000. Two out of three environmental samples were also positive for T. suis in faecal flotation. This case demonstrates that T. suis must be considered as an enteropathogen in pigs kept on pasture, as favourable environmental conditions, and the lack of removal of faeces from a pasture can lead to the accumulation of large numbers of infective eggs in the pigs’ surroundings.

Burdens of Ascaris spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. parasites in farm pigs in Ghana

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, intestinal parasites significantly affect the health and production of pigs.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the prevalence of Ascaris and Cryptosporidium infection in pigs in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of Ghana.

METHOD

Faecal samples from two hundred (200) pigs on four different farms (labelled A, B, C, D) were processed using the Kinyoun modified Ziehl-Neelsen method for Cryptosporidium and the Formol-ether sedimentation method for Ascaris and microscopically examined to identify parasites to the genus level.

RESULTS

The prevalence of Ascaris and Cryptosporidium in the pigs was 76% and 77%, respectively. The weaners had the highest Ascaris prevalence (96.15%) with the piglets recording the least (59.25%). On the other hand, the piglets had the highest prevalence (88.89%) for Cryptosporidium with the boars, sows and weaners recording 75.86%, 75.42% and 73.08% respectively. The prevalence of Ascaris was high in farm D (78.57%) while Cryptosporidium was highest in farm C (86.11%). Generally, there was a significant difference (p = 0.044) in the mean distribution of Cryptosporidium in the pigs.

CONCLUSION

The high burden of Ascaris and Cryptosporidium infections in the pigs suggest the need to adopt and implement effective control measures.

Association of Common Zoonotic Pathogens With Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Animal farming has intensified significantly in recent decades, with the emergence of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in industrialized nations. The congregation of susceptible animals in CAFOs can lead to heavy environmental contamination with pathogens, promoting the emergence of hyper-transmissible, and virulent pathogens. As a result, CAFOs have been associated with emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, hepatitis E virus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Streptococcus suis, livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Cryptosporidium parvum in farm animals. This has led to increased transmission of zoonotic pathogens in humans and changes in disease patterns in general communities. They are exemplified by the common occurrence of outbreaks of illnesses through direct and indirect contact with farm animals, and wide occurrence of similar serotypes or subtypes in both humans and farm animals in industrialized nations. Therefore, control measures should be developed to slow down the dispersal of zoonotic pathogens associated with CAFOs and prevent the emergence of new pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential.

OUP accepted manuscript

Background

A large number of studies have assessed risk factors for infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH), but few have investigated the interactions between the different parasites or compared these between host species across hosts. Here, we assessed the associations between Ascaris, Trichuris, hookworm, strongyle and Toxocara infections in the Philippines in human and animal hosts.

Methods

Faecal samples were collected from humans and animals (dogs, cats and pigs) in 252 households from four villages in southern Philippines and intestinal helminth infections were assessed by microscopy. Associations between worm species were assessed using multiple logistic regression.

Results

Ascaris infections showed a similar prevalence in humans (13.9%) and pigs (13.7%). Hookworm was the most prevalent infection in dogs (48%); the most prevalent infection in pigs was strongyles (42%). The prevalences of hookworm and Toxocara in cats were similar (41%). Statistically significant associations were observed between Ascaris and Trichuris and between Ascaris and hookworm infections in humans, and also between Ascaris and Trichuris infections in pigs. Dual and triple infections were observed, which were more common in dogs, cats and pigs than in humans.

Conclusions

Associations are likely to exist between STH species in humans and animals, possibly due to shared exposures and transmission routes. Individual factors and behaviours will play a key role in the occurrence of co-infections, which will have effects on disease severity. Moreover, the implications of co-infection for the emergence of zoonoses need to be explored further.