Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Major Gastrointestinal Parasites of Pig Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parasites of pigs slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise (AAAE) from October, 2009 to May, 2010 using systematic random sampling technique. A total of 390 pigs were sampled to assess and identify different genera of GIT parasites of pig. For this study, faecal samples were collected from a total of 390 pigs' slaughtered in the abattoir while post mortem adult parasite recovery was done by incision of liver, removing intestinal content, opening of the cecum and colon. The collected faecal samples were examined by zinc sulphate floatation and sedimentation techniques for isolation of parasitic eggs and/or oocysts. Out of 390 samples tested in the present study, an overall prevalence of 61.8% GIT parasite was identified. Among the examined samples, 16.2% (63/390), 12.6% (49/390), 6.9% (27/390), 3.9% (15/390), 11.8% (46/390), 10.5% (41/390) were identified as Strongyloides spp., Ascaris suum (A. suum), Trichuris suis (T. suis), Oesophagostomum spp., Coccidia spp. and Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) ova/oocyst, respectively. The study had also revealed that about 11.28% and 37.69% pigs had harbored mixed and single infection, respectively. A Chi-square computed statistical analysis indicated that origin (χ 2 =3.5408; P>0.05), age (χ 2 =1.8628; P>0.05) and sex (χ 2 =0.0636; P>0.05) were insignificantly associated with the infection of GIT parasites in the study area. However, the prevalence of individual GIT parasite infections analysis revealed that both sex and age were significantly associated with the prevalence of Coccidia spp. (p<0.05) while origin was significantly associated with the prevalence of the nematode A. suum (p<0.05). An overall prevalence of 28.2% GIT parasites were identified upon postmortem adult parasite inspection. Our study revealed that pig GIT parasites were the major biological constraints contributing to the low productivity of pig and hampered the economic benefit obtained from the sector. Therefore, further detailed investigations are needed to formulate appropriate and cost-effective strategies for the control of gastrointestinal parasites in pig farms in Ethiopia.

Copro-prevalence and risk factor assessment of gastrointestinal parasitism in Indian domestic pigs

“…Pigs are infected with wide range of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites with reports from all corners of the world (Permin et al, 1999;Tamboura et al2006;Lai et al, 2011;Navarro-Gonzalez et al, 2013;Yui et al, 2014;Alynne et al, 2015;Junhui et al, 2015;Kabululu et al, 2015;) including India (Laha et al, 2014;Dadas et al, 2016;Joute et al, 2016;Krishna Murthy et al, 2016;Singh et al, 2017;Patra et al, 2019). Age, sex of animal, management practices and geographical location are the major risk factors associated with GI parasites in pigs (Permin et al, 1999;Geresu et al, 2015;Roesel et al, 2017). It is predicted that in next ten years, the total consumption of meat in India will double from its present numbers and hence more emphasis need to be given for the efficient and economical pig husbandry.…”

Prevalence of Swine Gastrointestinal Parasites in Nyagatare District, Rwanda

“…During infection, gastrointestinal parasites can irritate intestinal mucosa and negatively affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients [ 8 ]. For instance, slight infection with Ascaris suum can decrease food intake and daily weight gain in infected animals [ 9 , 16 ].…”

Maximising Societal Benefit From the Control of Neglected Zoonoses: Identifying Synergies and Trade-Offs in the Control of Taenia solium

“…In contrast OFZ has intrinsic private benefit to pig farmers through the synergistic impact on other endoparasites which have a negative effect on productivity, in particular the main nematodes occurring in pigs (Ascaris suum, Strongyles spp, Oesophagostomum spp, and Trichuris suis) (22,30). Many studies of gastro-intestinal parasites of pigs raised under low-input systems in the countries in which T. solium is endemic have demonstrated a high prevalence of these infections (31)(32)(33)(34)(35), which will impact on feed conversion efficiency and kill-out percentage, translating into a real constraint on their pork production enterprises (36). Demonstrating to farmers the financial benefits of adopting OFZ treatment in their pigs has the potential to improve the willingness to pay (WTP) for this control option.…”