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 (χ2=3.5408; P>0.05), age (χ2=1.8628; P>0.05) and sex (χ2=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.
Highlights
Pigs, called hogs or swine, are ungulates which have been domesticated as a source of food, leather and similar products since ancient times
This study was intended to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in pigs slaughtered at Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise (AAAE), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Description of the study area The study was conducted in pigs slaughtered at AAAE originated from the two purposively selected sites in Central Ethiopia namely, Addis Ababa and Bishoftu areas
Summary
Called hogs or swine, are ungulates which have been domesticated as a source of food, leather and similar products since ancient times. They have been involved in biochemical research and treatment [1]. Pig farming is an important task which provides opportunity as an income generating activity for small-scale farmers, especially in developing countries. This activity is most popular in Africa, Latin America, and South East Asia [2]. Swine could carry many intestinal pathogens which would hinder the growth of pigs, leading to significant economic losses to the livestock industries and farming communities [3,4]
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