The strong influence of management factors on coccidian infections in smallholder pig farms and the first molecular identification of Cystoisospora suis in Myanmar.

Saw Bawm,Hla Myet Chel,Ryo Nakao,Nyein Chan Soe,Shwe Yee Win,Naoki Hayashi,Lat Lat Htun,Myint Myint Hmoon,Nariaki Nonaka,Yu Nandi Thaw,Su Su Thein,Mar Mar Win,Ken Katakura,Yadanar Khaing

doi:10.1051/parasite/2022006

Saw Bawm, Hla Myet Chel + Show 12 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2022006

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Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate coccidian infection and associated factors in smallholder pigs, and to identify Cystoisospora oocysts by PCR. A total of 500 pig faecal samples from 330 smallholder farms were collected in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The faecal flotation method was used to identify Eimeria and Cystoisospora species, and oocyst counts per gram (OPG) of faeces were recorded. Oocysts were differentiated after sporulation. Oocyst DNA was subjected to ITS1-targeted Cystoisospora-specific PCR. The overall coccidian oocyst detection rate by microscopic was 89.0% (445/500). Among the studied samples, 74.0% (370/500) and 70.6% (353/500), were found to be positive with Eimeria spp. and Cystoisospora suis oocysts, respectively. The sequences of C. suis detected were 100% identical to those of C. suis reported from Japan, and had 99.5% resemblance to sequences from Australia and China. Weaner pigs showed the significantly highest (p < 0.05) OPG when compared to other age groups. The highest intensity of coccidian infection (p < 0.05) was found in pigs fed local feed, pigs raised on earthen floors and pigs under poor hygienic conditions. Factors such as age, breed, feed type, and housing floors were found to be significantly associated with coccidian infection (p < 0.05). Age, as well as management factors including floor type, feed type, and hygiene practices on the farm, had a strong influence on the occurrence of coccidian infection in pigs. This is the first study in Myanmar on coccidian infection in pigs and molecular detection of C. suis.

Highlights

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that affects a variety of livestock worldwide
The aims of the present study were to conduct the survey on coccidian infection (Eimeria spp. and C. suis), to identify factors associated with coccidian infection in pigs, and to perform molecular characterization of C. suis, the most pathogenic species in pigs within the Nay Pyi Taw area
The prevalence of coccidian infection in pigs at the herd level was high in Myanmar, while prevalence ranges between 8.1% and 70.0% in other countries [2, 33, 49, 64]

Summary

Introduction

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that affects a variety of livestock worldwide It is one of the most serious infections of the gastrointestinal tract, caused by various species of the Phylum Apicomplexa [3], such as Eimeria species, Cystoisospora spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Sarcocystis spp. and Tyzzeria spp. Clinical manifestations include non-haemorrhagic pasty to watery diarrhoea, dehydration, rough hair coat, loss of weight and weakness [1, 24, 29, 34, 50] This disease demonstrates very high morbidity but low mortality and does not affect evenly all piglets in the litter, resulting in lower, unequal weaning weights, and as a result, significant economic losses [29, 35, 45]

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