A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY OF GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHS IN CONFINED PIGS IN OGBOMOSO, SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and inten­sity of gastrointestinal helminths in confined pigs in Ogbomoso, South-west Nigeria. A total of 345 pigs (124 (35.9%) males and 221(64.1%) females) were enrolled. Faecal samples were examined with floatation and sedimentation techniques and McMaster-counting chamber was used for egg count/gram. Our result revealed that 159 (46.0) of the examined pigs were infected with at least one helminth species of Ascarops strongylina (57.4%), Physocepahlus sexalatus (32.2%), Trichuris suis (68.7%), Ascaris suum (31.3%), Hyostrongylus rubidus (23.5%), Strongyloides ransomi (53.0%) and Taenia solium (55.7%). The infec­tion was statistically significant (P<0.001) with sex and highest prevalence was recorded among female pigs. Mean egg count for all the identified gastrointesti­nal helminths were age dependent except with A. suum and S. ransomi (1742.21 ± 185.15; 95%CI 1374 – 2109.83; P<0.001). Infection in adults and growers were not comparable (36.2%) but comparable with piglets (27.5%) at P<0.001. Pigs raised in cemented floor recorded low prevalence (45.2%) compared to uncemented floor (54.8%), (P<0.001). Pigs housed on plain floor showed strik­ing increase in parasite egg intensities when compared to pigs’ house on ce­mented floors. There is a risk of zoonotic infections. Stakeholders can mitigate morbidity and transmission by regular visits, awareness and drug interven­tions.