Gastrointestinal Parasites of Pigs in a Commercial Farm in Isiala-Ngwa North, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

There are many species of parasitic helminths, some of which can cause considerable disease in animals. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of pigs at Urata in Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria during 2009. A total number of 100 faecal samples were collected from 100 different matured pigs and examined microscopically to identify the presence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites. Out of 100 animals faeces examined, 79 (79%) were infected while 21 (21%) were uninfected. The helminth parasite groups encountered were nematodes 64 (64.0%) and trematodes 15 (15.0%). The parasites identified were Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus, Oesophagostomum dentatum, Trichuris suis, Stephanurus dentatus, Metastronggylus salmi, and Ascaris suum. Stephanuru dentatus had the highest prevalence rate of 33.0%, followed by Ascaris suum 21.0%). Mixed infections were encountered in 15% of the 100 pigs samples examined. According to the outcome of the study, it may be established that there is high prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in pigs with greater number of nematodes.

Keywords: Intestinal helminths, trematodes, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus, Trichuris suis, nematodes and Ascaris suum

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 33 [1] March 2012, pp. 63-66