Free-range Pig Farms Research Articles

Swinepox virus: an unusual outbreak in free-range pig farms in Sicily (Italy)

BackgroundTwo outbreaks of swinepox were investigated in free-range domestic pig farms located in the northeastern side of Sicily, Italy. The disease is generally self-limiting with a low mortality rate, but morbidity can reach high rates in case of poor sanitary conditions, improper husbandry practices and ectoparasitic infestation. The presented cases are the first ever reported on the island and part of the few cases reported in domestic pigs.Case presentationCarcasses condemned at the slaughterhouse and deceased pigs from Farm A and Farm B respectively, were referred for post-mortem examination and further investigations, with a strong suspect of SwinePox virus (SWPV) infection. Twelve deceased pigs were examined in total, showing poor body condition and pustular lesions scattered all over the cutaneous surfaces. Moreover, pigs from Farm B showed ocular lesions classified from Grade I to IV (from mild conjunctivitis to severe keratoconjunctivitis with corneal oedema, opacity, and ulcers). Final diagnosis was pursued by the microscopic assessment of skin lesions in both farms, which revealed the typical SWPV-lesion appearance, such as severe and disseminated ulcerative dermatitis and suspected inclusion bodies multifocally observed in the epidermis. Moreover, negative staining Electron Microscopy (nsEM) was performed on skin lesions and ocular swabs from Farm B, revealing in two samples the presence of brick-shaped viral particles, 220 nm long and 160 nm wide, with irregularly arranged surface tubules, identified as SWPV. The gene encoding the 482-bp fragment of the virus late transcription factor–3 was detected by PCR and sequencing revealed 99.79% identity and 100% query-cover with a strain previously isolated in Germany. Field clinical assessment was then performed in Farm B, revealing high overcrowding, poor sanitary conditions and improper husbandry practices, which are relevant risk factors for SWPV transmission.ConclusionsThe present is the first case report of SWPV in free-range pigs raised in Sicily, an island of the Southern coast of Italy, and wants to raise awareness on a neglected disease, and cause of animal health and welfare issues.

Risk Factor Impact on African Swine Fever Transmission in Different Extensive Pig Production Settings in Serbia.

The first case of ASF in a domestic pig population in Serbia was confirmed in 2019 in a backyard population. Today, outbreaks in wild boar and, more importantly, in domestic pigs are still occurring, although the government measures for ASF prevention are in place. The aim of this study was to determine critical risk factors and identify the possible reasons for ASF introduction into different extensive pig farms. The study was conducted on 26 extensive pig farms with confirmed ASF outbreaks, with data collected from beginning of 2020 to the end of 2022. Collected epidemiological data were divided into 21 main categories. After identifying specific values of variables as critical for ASF transmission, we identified nine important ASF transmission indicators as those variables for which at least 2/3 of the observed farms reported values critical for ASF transmission. Among them were type of holding, distance to hunting ground, farm/yard fencing, and home slaughtering; however, the hunting activity of pig holders, swill feeding, and feeding with mowed green mass were not included. We represented the data in the form of contingency tables to study associations between pairs of variables using Fisher's exact test. All pairs of variables in the group including type of holding, farm/yard fencing, domestic pig-wild boar contact, and hunting activity were significantly related; hunting activity of pig holders, holding pigs in backyards, unfenced yards, and domestic pig-wild boar contact were observed on the same farms. Free-range pig farming led to observed domestic pig-wild boar contact on all farms. The identified critical risk factors need to be strictly addressed to prevent the further spread of ASF to extensive farms and backyards in Serbia and elsewhere.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ВЫГУЛЬНОГО СОДЕРЖАНИЯ СВИНЕЙ НА РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЕ АЧС

African Swine Fever (ASF) is one of the most challenging swine diseases that has a significant impact on global pig farming from both sanitary and economic perspectives. The virus causes mortality rates of up to 95‒100% when it enters a population of domestic pigs, and the absence of treatment and vaccines makes controlling and eradication of ASF a challenging task. Therefore, rapid outbreak detection and strict sanitary measures are crucial tools in combating the disease. Free-range pig farming systems can increase the risk of ASF spreading as pigs have more access to the environment and other animals. This can lead to the disease rapidly spreading, especially if infected wild boars come into contact with domestic pigs. To prevent the spread of ASF, it is necessary to implement comprehensive measures, including increasing the level of biosecurity on pig farms and strict compliance with the rules for animal transportation.

Animal Health Management up against the Corsican Mountains: Meeting the Health and Territorial Challenges of the Free-Range Pig Farming Sector

Dans les zones de montagne et de piémont de la Corse, l’élevage conserve un caractère pastoral basé sur l’utilisation de parcours qui donne accès à des ressources spontanées aux animaux. Face à la multiplication des maladies émergentes, les normes d’action publique pour la santé des animaux considèrent que le maintien d’espaces de liberté constitue un risque sanitaire parce qu’il favorise les interactions entre faune sauvage et domestique. En se concentrant sur l’élevage porcin, cet article expose les contradictions entre ces normes et les enjeux propres à l’élevage pastoral corse et s’intéresse à la production d’une action publique locale impulsée en réponse à ces contradictions. Après avoir rappelé le lien étroit entre les transformations socio-économiques qu’a connu la montagne corse après la seconde guerre mondiale et les pratiques de l’élevage pastoral actuel, l’article montre que l’échec de deux politiques publiques de gestion sanitaire est lié aux décalages entre les enjeux portés par la politique publique de gestion de la santé animale d’un côté et ceux de l’élevage pastoral de l’autre. Les acteurs locaux en lien avec la gestion de la santé se mobilisent et construisent des dispositifs intermédiaires de concertation et de coordination pour apporter des réponses à des situations de blocage, par l’enchâssement des enjeux de gestion et de surveillance nationaux dans des dynamiques territoriales. L’article propose la notion de territoire de santé pour décrire l’émergence d’une action collective transversale qui s’appuie sur les connaissances des acteurs locaux pour produire une action publique adaptée aux enjeux de l’élevage pastoral corse.

Genetic Diversity of Porcine Circovirus Types 2 and 3 in Wild Boar in Italy.

Porcine circovirus (PCV) infection is associated with relevant economic impact to the pig industry. To date, four species of PCV (PCV1 to 4) have been identified but only PCV2 has been associated firmly with disease in pigs. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of PCV2 and PCV3 in the wild boar population in Basilicata region, Southern Italy, since this region is characterized by large forested and rural areas and the anthropic pressure is lower than in other Italian regions. Liver samples from 82 hunted wild boar were collected in 2021 from 3 different hunting districts. Sixty (73%, 95%CI: 63-82) samples tested positive for PCVs by quantitative PCR. In detail, 22 (27%, 95%CI: 18-37) were positive for PCV2, 58 (71%, 95%CI: 60-79) for PCV3, and 20 (24.4%, 95%CI 16-35) for both PCV2 and PCV3. On genome sequencing, different types and sub-types of PCV2 and PCV3 were identified, remarking a genetic diversity and hinting to a global circulation for the identified PCV strains. Overall, the high prevalence suggests that PCV2 and PCV3 infections are endemic in the wild boar population, posing risks for semi-intensive and free-range pig farming, typical of this region, due to contact with PCV-infected wild boar.

Detection and characterisation ofporcine circoviruses inwild boars innortheastern Serbia.

The objective was toexpand and update the knowledge onthe presence and genotype diversity ofporcine circoviruses2 and3 (PCV2 and PCV3) inthe wild boar populations from the hunting grounds innortheastern Serbia. The presence ofPCV3 was not determined, and PCV2 was confirmed in40.32% ofthe organ samples from 124wild boars hunted from 2018 to2019, indicating their significance invirus circulation since traditional pig farms with irregular PCV2 vaccination strategies are widespread inthis region. The most prevalent genotype was PCV2d, followed byPCV2b and PCV2a in55.6%, 38.9%, and 5.5% ofthe examined samples, respectively. Nucleotide sequences ofthe detected strains were homogenous within the genotype and clustered within thesubgroups PCV2d-2, PCV2b-1A/B, and PCV2a-2D with high identity toEuropean, Chinese, and Serbian domestic pig sequences suggesting their origin. Wild boars presented with noclinical orpathological signs ofinfection, implying that these animals might beless susceptible todisease, particularly since the cofactors present inpig farming systems that support the disease development are absent inthe wild. The high PCV2 detection frequency demonstrates the importance ofwildlife monitoring totrack virus population dynamics, especially inregions with free-range pig farming inorder toplan adequate disease control strategies.

From National Biosecurity Measures to Territorial ASF Preparedness: The Case of Free-Range Pig Farming in Corsica, France.

In response to African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in wild boars in Belgium in 2018, the French authorities issued national biosecurity measures for all pig farms, regardless of their geographical and socio-technical scale. Considering the Corsican pig farmers' demonstrations against these measures (for geographical, cultural, and economic reasons), this article questions the suitability of standardized top-down national measures that potentially endanger traditional breeding systems, which are increasingly marginalized in relation to the dominant industrial model. From an action-research approach, the article analyzes how local stakeholders go beyond usual classical biosecurity issues to propose a territorialized preparedness. Mediating between Corsican farmers and the government representatives, a technical committee made up of actors from various regional research and development bodies drew up a socially acceptable preparedness proposal. Viewing the health risk from a local standpoint, the committee provided arguments for maintaining the extensive grazing that is non-negotiable for the farmers, while getting the farmers to agree to change other practices (reproduction control) as a measure against health hazards already present. Analysis of the preparedness process and the mediation process shows that a territorialized bottom-up approach to the governance of health risks can make biosecurity measures more acceptable to farmers. It also points to the legitimacy of a set of alternatives to top-down measures that standardize farming systems and may lead to the disappearance of small farmers and their traditional systems.

The story of free-range pig farming: Buh-u Huh-u Uh-u Pig Farm in Yamanashi

The story of free-range pig farming: Buh-u Huh-u Uh-u Pig Farm in Yamanashi

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Pigs from Different Farming Systems in The Netherlands

Sporadic nontravel-related hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections have been reported in industrialized countries. These infections are caused by zoonotic HEV genotypes 3 and 4 that circulate in swine, wild boar, and deer. In The Netherlands, HEV RNA has been detected in >50% of the pig farms, and HEV-specific antibodies were detected in ∼70% of the slaughter pigs. In the current study, HEV seroprevalences were investigated in pigs raised on conventional, free-range, and organic farms in The Netherlands. Differences in seroprevalence may indicate different exposure routes or transmission dynamics within pig herds for HEV. In 2004, serum samples of 846 fattening pigs were obtained from farms that applied conventional (265 pigs at 24 farms), organic (417 pigs at 42 farms), and free-range (164 pigs at 12 farms) farming. HEV-specific antibodies were detected in samples from all conventional and free-range pig farms and in 41 of 42 organic pig farms, indicating that the probability of introducing HEV on a farm appeared to be equal for the different farming types. The estimated average within-herd seroprevalence was significantly higher for pigs raised on organic farms (89%) than for pigs raised on conventional farms (72%, P = 0.04) and nearly significant for pigs raised on free-range farms (76%, P = 0.06). Six of ten organic farms were estimated to have a withinherd seroprevalence of >95%, compared with 1 of 10 and 4 of 10 of the free-range and conventional pig farms, respectively. This suggests a higher force of infection with HEV for pigs reared on organic farms compared with pigs reared on conventional or free-range farms. This may be due to repetitive exposure to HEV caused by farming system-specific housing conditions, such as a greater contact frequency between pigs and more exposure to pig manure, increasing the transmission rate.

Emerging Trichinella britovi infections in free ranging pigs of Greece

Trichinella infections in humans and pigs have been documented in Greece since 1945 and a high prevalence of infection in pigs occurred in the 1950s. Up to 1984 only sporadic infections in humans were documented, and this zoonosis was not considered as a public health problem until 2009 when a human outbreak caused by the consumption of pork from an organic pig farm occurred. In the present study, we describe the re-emergence of Trichinella spp. infections in free-ranging pigs from organic farms of 3 counties (Dramas, Evros and Kavala) in Northern-Eastern Greece during the period 2009–2012. Totally 37 out of 12,717 (0.29%) free-ranging pigs which were tested during the period in question, were positive for Trichinella spp. larvae. The etiological agent was identified as Trichinella britovi. The average larval burden was 13.7 in the masseter, 6.2 in the foreleg muscles and 7.5 in the diaphragm. The 37 positive animals originated from seven free range pig farms. The practice of organic pig production systems in Greece has grown in popularity over the last years due to the increasing interest of consumers for products considered as traditional. However, this type of pig production increases the risk for Trichinella spp. infections, since animals can acquire the infection by feeding on carcasses or the offal of hunted or dead wild animals. The awareness and education of hunters and farmers is extremely important to reduce the transmission among free ranging pigs and the risk for humans.

Detection and Zoonotic Potential ofTrichinellaspp. from Free-Range Pig Farming in Greece

Trichinellosis is a serious parasitic zoonosis, which is widely distributed around the world. Pork meat is still the predominant source of outbreaks of human trichinellosis in many countries. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of Trichinella spp. as an important risk factor on the free-range pig farming sector in Greece. In 2009, during routine testing for the detection of Trichinella larvae at slaughterhouses and the National Reference Laboratory for Parasites (NRL), a total of 826,426 pigs were tested with the magnetic stirrer method for Trichinella spp. at slaughterhouses, including 2,892 samples from free-range pigs. Two positive samples were detected: one positive for Trichinella britovi and one positive for Trichinella spp. (unspecified) in the samples from wild farmed free-range pigs. It is alarming that one of these cases was connected with clinical signs of trichinellosis in five persons of the same family in northeastern Greece, who consumed undercooked pork meat from a free-range pig farm. During 2010, a total number of 1,295,034 pigs were tested with same method, including 4,159 samples from free-range pig farms. Five positive samples for Trichinella spp. (unspecified) were detected from 4,159 free-range pigs tested by the Greek NRL. Moreover, 363 serum samples from free-range pigs were serologically tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, 363 serum samples from farmed free-range pigs were serologically tested with ELISA, and 15 samples were found positive. Finally, the present study is the first report of detection of T. britovi in Greece. In conclusion, based on the results of the present study, Trichinella spp. is a high-risk factor for the free-range pig farming in Greece.

Human and Porcine Hepatitis E Viruses, Southeastern Bolivia

To the Editor: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 3 and 4 are considered to be primarily zoonotic (1). However, recent data indicate that both genotypes can be transmitted among humans through other routes (2,3). Observations of genetic distinctiveness between swine and human HEV strains circulating within the same region argue against exclusivity of zoonotic transmission (4). A recent report presented a remarkable example of such distinction between genotype 3 isolates in rural communities in southeastern Bolivia (5). We examined HEV sequences obtained in that study to show the independent genetic origin of swine and human variants. Findings suggest disjunction between human and swine HEV strains in this epidemiologic setting, despite the potential for extensive cross-species exposure. Using reference sequences from Lu et al. (6), we conducted subtype analysis of HEV open reading frame 2 sequences at nucleotide positions 826–1173 (GenBank accession no. {type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:AF060668,term_id:4321753}}AF060668) from isolates from 2 rural communities in southeastern Bolivia (5). Analysis showed that swine sequences belonged to subtype 3i and that the human sequences belonged to 3e. We collected all available GenBank genotype 3 sequences covering this genomic region for which the dates of collection were documented. Sequences were used to estimate the time from the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) by using BEAST version 1.6.1 (7). Estimated tMRCA for GenBank sequences was longer than for sequences from Bolivia alone (Table) or for all genotype 3 sequences together (Table). Table Model estimates of time to most common recent ancestor for HEV ORF2 nucleotide sequences, southeastern Bolivia* To reduce the effect of close relatedness among human or swine HEV sequences from Bolivia on the tMRCA estimate, we used only 1 representative sequence per species from each community in the final analysis. This analysis identified an estimated tMRCA similar to that seen for GenBank sequences alone (Table, model F vs. model D). This estimate indicates that human and swine HEV isolates from southeastern Bolivia last shared a common ancestor ≈275 years ago (Table, model F). Thus, swine HEV strains from both rural communities belonged to subtype 3i, and the human HEV strains identified from the community of Bartolo, Bolivia, belonged to subtype 3e and shared an ancestor with swine strains almost 3 centuries ago. This finding is surprising because the community of Bartolo has several potential risk factors for zoonotic transmission of HEV. There are ≈200 humans and ≈70 swine in Bartolo (8). Residents are mainly native Quechua and Guarani with some of mixed Spanish ancestry who subsist at a low socioeconomic level. Their main livelihood activities are agriculture and breeding of animals. Free-range pig farms are family owned. Because of its impoverished state, the community has no running water, and few houses have toilets. No facilities are suitable for safely slaughtering animals (5,9). These conditions appear to create a setting in which zoonotic transmission of HEV should be common, and infection should be caused by a strain shared between swine and humans. However, the data suggest host-specific infection with distinct HEV subtypes. Although specimens were collected from 172 humans (≈86%) and 67 swine (≈96%) in Bartolo (8), zoonotically transmitted isolates may have been missed because of the sample-pooling technique used (5). Nevertheless, detection of distinct HEV strains in human and swine populations indicates possible nonzoonotic, human-to-human transmission in this community. Detection of antibodies against HEV among 7% of residents and HEV genomes in persons without serologic markers of HEV infection indicate a higher HEV prevalence in Bartolo (5). Subclinical infection detected by PCR among Bartolo residents (5), rapid decrease of HEV antibody, and uncertain sensitivity of commercial serologic assays (10) suggest that the reported extent of HEV infection is most likely an underestimate. High prevalence may generate conditions in this community that effectively prevent cross-species transmission because of frequent exposure to HEV early in life when contacts between humans and animals are limited, thus promoting host-specific transmission. This supposition is supported by the higher seropositivity seen among children 1–5 years of age and adults 41–50 years of age in Bartolo (5). Implications of these observations for understanding HEV evolution and epidemiology of HEV infections warrant further research on genetic heterogeneity of HEV strains in this region and other epidemiologic settings.

Brucella suis infection in domestic pigs and wild boar in Croatia

Between the years 2000 and 2004, 93,107 sera from 1,997 pig herds in 11 regions of Croatia were tested for the presence of antibodies against brucellosis. Positive results were observed in 67 herds from seven regions (mean individual prevalence: approximately 1%; herd prevalence: 3.4%). The herds from all but two of the infected farms were reared outdoors and thus almost certainly came into contact with wildlife. From 2003 to 2004, 424 sera, which were randomly collected from hunted wild boar (Sus scrofa), were also tested and shown to have a mean seroprevalence of 27.6%. Brucella was isolated from 88 out of 151 serologically positive pigs (58.3%) and 7 of the 93 (7.5%) wild boar which were randomly submitted for bacteriological study. All but three isolates were Brucella suis biovar 2; the others being biovar 3. These results suggest that brucellosis is enzootic in Croatian populations of wild boar. These populations represent a potential disease reservoir for free-range pig farms, as they do in other countries of Central and Western Europe. This is the first report of B. suis biovar 3 in swine and wild boar in Europe, which is an issue of serious concern for public health.

Characteristics of the smallholder free-range pig production system in western Kenya

Free-range pig farming is common amongst the small-scale farmers in western Kenya. In order to determine the characteristics of this type of production system, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey on farm characteristics and management was collected from 182 farmers in Busia District. The mean farm size was one acre, while the mean number of pigs per farm was 3.6. Pigs were mainly kept as a source of income (98%) and majority were of cross breed variety (64%). The production systems included farrow to weaner (12%), porker to finisher (36%), and mixed (46%). Sixty five percent (65%) of the pigs were tethered and housing was not provided in 61% of the farms. Most of the feeds were sourced locally. Lack of castration and delayed weaning of pigs was observed on 49% and 30% of the farms, respectively. The main production constraints included pig diseases (81%) and high cost or lack of feed (81%). Haematopinus suis infestations and worm infections were considered to be the most important diseases by 71% and 55% of the farmers, respectively. Farmers had moderate knowledge on parasitic disease diagnosis with 31% and 62% not having a history of either deworming or spraying pigs with acaricides, respectively. Marketing constraints were common amongst the farmers and included poor prices and inadequate market information. In conclusion, the production system was characterized as low-input with an income objective. Future research and development approaches should focus on the integration of free-range farmers into the country's market chains through access to extension services.

Antigens from the midgut membranes of Ornithodoros erraticus induce lethal anti-tick immune responses in pigs and mice

Ornithodoros erraticus is an argasid tick that can transmit severe diseases such as human relapsing fever and African swine fever. In southern Europe O. erraticus lives in close association with swine on free-range pig farms. Application of acaricides for the eradication of O. erraticus from pig farms is inefficient. This is the reason why we tried to develop an anti- O. erraticus vaccine as alternative method of control. Accordingly, we were prompted to investigate the protective possibilities of a midgut membrane extract from the parasite (GME) that has not been studied hitherto. Administration of the GME with Freund's adjuvants (FAs) to pigs and mice induced a protective response able to kill 80% of the immature forms of the parasite in the first 72 h post-feeding and to reduce the fecundity of females by more than 50%. The action of the vaccine is the result of damage to the midgut wall of the argasid, and, in mice, it has been shown that this damage is mediated by activation of the complement system. In pigs, the administration of GME with alum, instead of with FAs, reduced the degree of protection. The protective antigens of the GME were expressed by all the developmental stages examined and are probably proteins from the luminal membrane of midgut epithelial cells. These antigens were seen to be more abundant in recently fed parasites than in fasting specimens, suggesting that their expression is induced after blood ingestion.

A Survey of Gastrointestinal Pig Parasites on Free-range, Organic and Conventional Pig Farms in The Netherlands

The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in suckling piglets, weaners, fattening pigs and sows was studied from November 2001 to October 2002 on 16 free-range farms (FRF), 11 organic farms (OF) and 9 conventional farms (CF) by means of faecal examinations of composite samples. Each farm was visited four times with a 3-month interval. Infections with coccidia were found on 43.8% of the FRF, 90.9% of the OF and 66.7% of the CF. Sows had the highest prevalence, particularly on FRF (87.5%) and OF (80%). Ascaris suum was present on 50% of the FRF, 72.7% of the OF and 11.1% of the CF, whereas fattening pigs on FRF (42.9%) and OF (54.5%) had the highest prevalence. Oesophagostomum spp. were observed on 25% of the FRF, 27.2% of the OF and 22.2% of the CF. The infection was most prevalent in the sows on all farm types: 37.5% on FRF, 30% on OF and 22.2% on CF.Trichuris suis was found on 37.5% of the FRF, 36.4% of the OF and 11.1% of the CF. Again, this infection was most prevalent in the sows, particularly on the FRF (50%) and OF (30%). No other gastrointestinal parasite species were found and no clinical signs were observed. No seasonal trends could be distinguished. In many cases, when an age group on a farm was positive for a certain parasite, it remained so during the whole study. This indicates that this parasite was really 'endemic' on that farm. The results of this study demonstrate that the prevalence of helminth infections of pigs on farms with outdoor facilities is higher than in pigs on conventional farms.

W14.385 Allelic variation at the alcohol dehydrogenase ADH1C gene is associated with alcohol consumption but not with HDL-C concentrations in a Spanish population

Multiple logistic regression was used on serological data collected in the context of the Sardinian African swine fever (ASF) eradication program from pig farms in the province of Nuoro, Sardinia. The monthly percentage of ASFV-positive herds decreased significantly from October 1994 through March 1996 (P < 0.001). The farm-level risk of seropositivity to African swine fever virus (ASFV) was higher in free-range farms than in partial-confinement farms (odds ratios (OR) varied between 4.9 in October 1994, and 5.7 in March 1996, P < 0.001). The risk of infection for total-confinement farms was one-fifth of the risk for partial-confinement farms in October 1994 (OR = 0.2, P < 0.001), whereas in March 1996, the estimated OR was 0.57 and not significant (upper confidence limit = 1.1). The maintenance of ASFV in Sardinia was primarily associated with free-range pig farms. The natural logarithm of the number of pigs tested per visit in a farm was positively associated with the risk of herd seropositivity (OR = 2.6, P < 0.001).

The current status of neurocysticercosis in Eastern and Southern Africa

Some information has been documented on the epidemiology of neurocysticercosis in Eastern and Southern Africa through the monitoring of hospital-based patients with neurocysticercosis, community-based serological surveys of particular socio-economic groups of people and surveys of porcine cysticercosis. Studies have revealed that non-pork eaters have as great a chance of infection as a pork eater, the Xhosa-speaking people of the Eastern Cape Province have the highest prevalence of cysticercosis/taeniosis in South Africa probably due to the common practice of free-range pig farming and the lack of sanitation in these areas. Several studies have revealed high prevalence rates in children and interestingly, patients with active cysts suffering from epilepsy. A startling mode of transmission is where self-trained healers use Taenia segments either for benevolent (e.g. in the treatment of severe intestinal tapeworm infections) or malevolent (evil) purposes (e.g. women ‘poisoning’ an unfaithful husband or lover by adding the contents of Taenia solium segments to beer).

Effect of husbandry methods on seropositivity to African swine fever virus in Sardinian swine herds

Multiple logistic regression was used on serological data collected in the context of the Sardinian African swine fever (ASF) eradication program from pig farms in the province of Nuoro, Sardinia. The monthly percentage of ASFV-positive herds decreased significantly from October 1994 through March 1996 ( P < 0.001). The farm-level risk of seropositivity to African swine fever virus (ASFV) was higher in free-range farms than in partial-confinement farms (odds ratios (OR) varied between 4.9 in October 1994, and 5.7 in March 1996, P < 0.001). The risk of infection for total-confinement farms was one-fifth of the risk for partial-confinement farms in October 1994 (OR = 0.2, P < 0.001), whereas in March 1996, the estimated OR was 0.57 and not significant (upper confidence limit = 1.1). The maintenance of ASFV in Sardinia was primarily associated with free-range pig farms. The natural logarithm of the number of pigs tested per visit in a farm was positively associated with the risk of herd seropositivity (OR = 2.6, P < 0.001).