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

Isaia Symeonidou,Athanasios Ι Gelasakis,Eleni D Tzika,Panagiotis Tassis,Elias Papadopoulos

doi:10.3390/pathogens9070556

Isaia Symeonidou, Athanasios Ι Gelasakis + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9070556

Copy DOI

Abstract

Intestinal parasites, helminths, and protozoa challenge health and welfare of pigs and deteriorate the sustainability of swine farms leading to monetary losses. A multicentric survey was conducted for approximately one year. Overall, 1150 fecal samples were collected from eight intensive farms in Greece at regular intervals and examined by flotation and Ziehl-Neelsen techniques. Age, season, and time of last recorded antiparasitic treatment were assessed as possible risk factors using binary regression models. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitism in pigs was 44.7%. The most frequently detected parasites in the studied population were the protozoa Balantidium coli (37.8%), followed by Entamoeba spp. (8.3%), Cystoisospora suis (6.0%), and the nematodes Ascaris suum (3.7%), Trichuris suis (2.5%), and Oesophagostomum spp. (1.4%). Distribution of intestinal parasites in different age groups was as expected. In autumn, the prevalence of Balantidium coli infection enhanced whereas the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. and Cystoisospora suis infections increased in spring. Time of last recorded antiparasitic treatment influenced Balantidium coli and Trichuris suis infection levels. Our results demonstrated that swine intestinal parasitism in intensive farms of Greece seems to be relatively common and highlighted the importance of proper laboratory examinations, as well as the need for tailored made control programs.

Highlights

The vast majority of swine farms in Greece are farrow-to-finish intensive conventional units, with their own feed mill
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the prevalence of intestinal parasitism of pigs reared in conventional intensive Greek swine farms is assessed
Our observations suggest that intestinal parasitism in Greek swine farms is present and should not be underestimated when planning preventive measures to mitigate the occurrence of pathogens at a farm level, even though the likelihood of severe clinical disease is moderate to low under current farm conditions

Summary

Introduction

The vast majority of swine farms in Greece are farrow-to-finish intensive conventional units, with their own feed mill. Pigs remain permanently housed and under controlled environmental conditions, usually on slatted or semi-slatted floor, with limited access to outdoor areas, and rare contact with soil. Partial access of breeding stocks to outdoor areas at some points of production (e.g., gestation units) is the norm, animals can be exposed to parasites. Pigs may harbor numerous intestinal parasites, most commonly protozoa and nematodes. The course of such parasitic infections is usually subclinical, sometimes, clinical infections may occur in growing pigs [1,2]. Parasitized pigs tend to be more susceptible to infectious and non-infectious diseases, which undermine their health and welfare status [3,5]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion