SQU Journal for Science, 2022, 27(2),84-89 DOI:10.53539/squjs.vol27iss2pp84-89 Sultan Qaboos University 84 Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthes in Pigs Reared in Research Farms of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria Ebube Charles Amaechi 1 *, Miracle Innocent Dike 2 , Onyinye Mkpola Ukpai, Blessing Uzoamaka Ejike 3 . 1 Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; 2 Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria; 3 Department of Biology/Microbiology, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State; *Email: ebubeamechi@yahoo.com. ABSTRACT: Gastrointestinal parasitism in swine production is a world-wide problem especially in tropical resource- poor countries. These infections in animals result in significant economic losses. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and spectrum of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs reared in two research farms in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, South eastern Nigeria. From April, 2016 to July, 2016, 220 samples of pig faeces from two research farms (CASAP Research Farm and MOUAU Commercial Pig Farm) were analyzed using floatation and direct smear methods to identify varied parasitic stages present in the faeces. Data generated showed an overall prevalence of 64.6% (142/220) in the two farms. Five parasite species made up of four Nematode and one Cestode were observed namely Ascaris suum (26.4%), Trichuris suis (26.4%), Strongyloides spp (21.9%), Oesophagostomum dentatum (20.0%) and Pseudanoplocephala spp. (5.6%). Mixed infections were also observed. Those within the ages of 0-8months had the highest prevalence (74.12%). Further, 67.42% male pigs and 62.60% of female pigs were found to be infected with one or the other endoparasite revealing a high prevalence of parasitic problems within Umudike. It is recommended that pigs should be treated regularly to prevent or reduce infection to the barest minimal level. Keywords: Abia State; Cestode; Faecal samples; Gastrointestinal parasites; Nematode pig farming; Umudike. ، جنوب شرق أوموديكي ،عة لجامعة مايكل أوكبارا للزراعةالديدان المعوية في الخنازير التي تربى في المزارع البحثية التابانتشار نيجيريا أونيني مكبوال أوكاي و بلسينج أوزواماكا ايجيكيوبي تشارلز أمايه، ميراكل انوسنت دايك ، بأ العدوى في الحيوانات تؤدي إلى يعتبر التطفل المعدي المعوي في إنتاج الخنازير مشكلة عالمية خاصة في البلدان الفقيرة بالموارد االستوائية. هذه :صلخمال في جامعة مايكل للخنازير التي تمت تربيتها في مزرعتين بحثيتين المعدية المعويةخسائر اقتصادية كبيرة. هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقييم انتشار الطفيليات عينة من براز الخنازير من مزرعتين بحثيتين 661، تم تحليل 6102إلى يوليو 6102أبريل ، جنوب شرق نيجيريا، منموديك، أوأوكبارا للزراعة البراز. التجارية للخنازير( باستخدام طرق التحليل المختلفة لتحديد المراحل الطفيلية المتنوعة الموجودة في MOUAUومزرعة CASAP)مزرعة أبحاث الطفيليات مكونة من أربعة نيماتودا و ( في المزرعتين. لوحظ وجود خمسة أنواع من0.6/661٪ )2..2أظهرت البيانات الناتجة انتشاًرا إجماليًا بنسبة فَُر الِخْنزيِرّي )سيستود واحد وهي ٪( 61.1٪( ، العقدية )60.2، األسطوانيات البرازية ) ٪(..62٪( ، الدودة السوطية الخنزيرية )..62الصَّ ٪(. عالوة على 06..2أشهر ) 8-1نسبة انتشار بين األطفال الذين تتراوح أعمارهم بين ٪(. كما لوحظت عدوى مختلطة كانت أعلى6.2وسيدانوبلوسفاال. ) ٪ إناث الخنازير مصابة بواحد أو الطفيل الداخلي اآلخر مما يكشف عن انتشار كبير لمشكلة الطفيليات26.21الخنازير و ٪ ذكور6..22جد أن ذلك، و . وتوصي نتائج هذه الدراسة بعالج الخنازير بانتظام لمنع أو تقليل العدوى إلى أدنى حد ممكن.Umudikeداخل .أبيا؛ الديدان، عينات البراز، طفيليات الجهاز الهضمي، تربية الخنازير النيماتودا، أوموديكوالية :مفتاحيةالكلمات ال mailto:ebubeamechi@yahoo.com PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHES IN PIGS 85 1. Introduction ig farming has become a significant source of economic growth for many countries that are dependent on agriculture such as Nigeria [1]. Increasing development has led to rapid and rising demand for animal protein. The benefits of pig farming include promoting the socio-economic status of the populace since the pig has the advantage of being highly prolific when compared to other livestock [2]. Pigs can convert more energy and nutrients into protein and as a result they grow faster. They survive and produce more by consuming small amounts of low-quality food, and hence do not need much involvement in terms of labour and feeding costs [3]. Despite the advantages of pig production outlined, quite a number of factors militate against growth in the industry, factors such as poor veterinary services, lack of credit facilities, non-usage of modern technological advancement and great loss due to endemic disease, especially helminthic diseases. Helminthiosis constitutes a major impediment to efficient and profitable pig production worldwide [4,5]. Gastrointestinal parasites occur in pigs in all production systems and parasites have been identified in both intensively and extensively managed pigs, as well as in pigs kept on research farms. Thus, pigs will likely play a role as a reservoir of parasites of humans [3,6,7]. Due to the fact that parasites rarely cause clinical disease in pigs, little attention has been paid to the animal. Commonly encountered important intestinal parasites of pigs include Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp., Hyostrongylus rubidus, Ascarops strongylina, Physocephalus sexalatus, Strongyloides ransomi and Trichuris suis [8]. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and spectrum of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs reared in two research farms in Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. This will improve the understanding of their epidemiology and transmission in order to guide effective control. 2. Methodology 2.1 Study Area The study was carried out in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU) Umudike in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. MOUAU is located at latitude 5 0 40 1 and 6 0 4 1 north, and longitude 7 0 10 1 and 7 0 34 1 east of Ikwuano local government area. The climate is purely tropical with wet and dry seasons. The rainy season goes from March to October while the dry season is from November to February. The mean daily rainfall and relative humidity are 146.5 mm and 80% respectively. The mean daily temperature ranges from 21.9 0 C to 31.5 0 C. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Commercial Pig Farm and its Research Pig Farm are supervised by the College of Animal Science and Animal Production (CASAP). The swine unit consists of breeding, farrowing, finishing and experimental pens. The pens are stocked with different breeds of pigs comprising pure Duroc, strains of large white, Hamphire and local breeds. The total number of pigs in the swine unit at the time of sampling which took place between April-July 2016 was 172 pigs in MOUAU Commercial Pig Farm and 70 pigs in CASAP Research Pig Farm. The parent stock was sourced from reputable commercial pig farms operating intensive production systems. Fenbendazole and ivermectin were the two anthelminthic treatments administered three months earlier, prior to the study. 2.2 Collection and examination of fecal samples Fecal samples were collected from 220 pigs for parasitological examination. The faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of the pigs with a pair of forceps, a disposable hand glove, or just as they were being dropped on the ground while watching. About 5 g of each captured faecal sample was put in a separate screw cap bottle containing 10% of formalin and was properly labeled indicating the age and sex of the pigs. These were then transported immediately to the department of Zoology and Environmental Biology laboratory of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike for examination and identification. 2.3 Floatation technique This method was demonstrated by [9]. About 3 g of faecal sample was emulsified in 30 ml of distilled water in a beaker and thereafter filtered using sieves of various mesh sizes (30, 60 and 90 mm). The strained material was immediately transferred into centrifuge tubes and centrifuged at 1,500 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 5 minutes. The clear supernatant in each tube was discarded and sugar solution of specific gravity (specific gravity of 1.2) was added to the sediment in each centrifuge tube until a convex meniscus was formed. Each tube was then covered with a glass cover slip and allowed to stand for 10 minutes. Each cover slip was then gently lifted from each tube and placed on a clean grease-free slide and examined under the ×10 and ×40 objectives of the microscope for the presence of eggs of helminth parasites. 2.4 Direct Smear method This method was also demonstrated by [9]. A small quantity of the faecal sample was placed on the clean grease - free glass slide with a glass rod and a smear was made. A drop of 1% normal saline was added and thoroughly mixed with the sample. The slide was covered with a cover slip and examined under a microscope for the presence of eggs of helminth parasites. The eggs of helminths were identified using keys adopted by [10]. P EBUBE CHARLES AMAECHI ET AL. 86 2.5 Data Analysis Differences in the prevalence of parasite infections between age groups and sex were analyzed using Chi-square tests at a level of P = 0.05. 3. Results Two hundred and twenty pigs were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites from two farms namely CASAP Research Farm and MOUAU Commercial Pig Farm. A total of one hundred and forty two pigs (142) were infected giving an overall prevalence of 64.55% (Table 1), in the two farms. Fifty eight (58) pigs were examined from CASAP Research Farm while one hundred and sixty two (162) were examined from MOUAU Commercial Farm. There was no significant difference in the prevalence from either farm (P > 0.05). Overall, sex related prevalence was higher in the males than in the females (Table 2). There was no significant difference in the sex prevalence (P>0.05) Those animals aged 0-8months had the highest prevalence (74.12%) in both the different farms (Table 3). The prevalence amongst the different ages was significant (P < 0.05) Five parasite species made up of four Nematodes and one Cestode were observed namely Ascaris suum (26.4%), Trichuris suis (26.4%) ,Strongyloides spp (21.9%), Stephanurus dentatus (20.0%) and Cestode/Pseudanoplocephala spp (5.6%),(Table 4). Mixed infections were also observed. The combinations of Trichuris suis and Strongyloides spp (29.41%) and of Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis and Strongyloides spp (29.41%) occurred most frequently (Table 5). Table 1. Prevalence of Infection by Farms. Farm No. examined No. infected Percentage of infection MOUAU commercial farm 162 102 62.92 CASAP Research farm 58 40 68.97 Total 220 142 64.55 Df =1, X 2 =3.5, P >0.05 Table 2. Sex Related Prevalence among the Pigs. Sex No. examined No. infected Percentage of infection (%) Male 89 60 67.42 Female 131 82 62.60 Total 220 142 Df =1, X 2 =2.8, P>0.05 Table 3. Age Related Infection rate among the Pigs. Age (months) No. examined No. infected Percentage of infection (%) 0-8 85 63 74.12 9-16 99 60 60.61 >16 36 19 52.77 Df =3, X 2 =6.5, P < 0.05 PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHES IN PIGS 87 Table 4. Prevalence of single parasite infection. Parasites No. infected Percentage of infection Ascaris suum (N) 33 26.4 Trichuris suis (N) 33 26.4 Strongyloides spp (N) 27 21.6 Oesophagostomum dentatum 25 20.0 Pseudanoplocephala spp. 7 5.6 Total 125(56.82) Df =4, X 2 = 7.8, P > 0.05 Table 5. Prevalence of mixed parasite infection. Parasites No. infected Percentage of infection (%) TS+SS 5 29.41 SS+OD 2 11.76 AS+PS 1 5.88 AS+TS 3 17.65 AS+TS+PS 5 29.41 AS+TS+OD 1 5.88 Total 17 (12.0%) Key: TS= Trichuris suis SS= Strongyloides spp AS=Ascaris suum OD= Oesophagostomum dentatum PS=. Pseudanoplocephala spp 4. Discussion Pig farming has become a significant source of economic growth for most tropical countries. Helminthic diseases have been reported to be a major impediment to efficient and profitable pig production worldwide [1]. The present study aimed at determining the spectrum and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs managed in two research farms at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, south eastern Nigeria. The results of this work revealed a high prevalence of infection of 64.6% among the pigs investigated. This result agrees with the findings of [11] who reported a prevalence of 64.6% in pigs in Shimoga region of Karnataka. Higher rates of 68.7%, 79.2%,80%, 92.7% and 100% gastrointestinal parasitic infection have, however, been reported in pigs reared in several countries such as West Indies, South Africa, Burkinafaso, Nigeria and Gabon [12,13,14,6]. It would seem that the infection was low compared to these other findings. This seemingly low prevalence compared to these other studies could be as a result of the management practices in the farms that were visited, such as daily cleaning and disinfecting of the pens, giving high quality commercial feed in addition to self-prepared feed containing ingredients such as maize grain, cassava and plantain peels, and to the application of anthelminthic drugs to the pigs. Anthelminthic drugs such as fenbendazole and ivermectin were being administered on a three months’ basis in the farms studied to help minimize the survival and transmission of parasites within the host system. The results obtained in this study could, however, also be influenced by the period of the investigation (April to July) which happens to be the rainy season period. The rainy season is favorable for the survival, development and transmission of parasitic infections. High stocking density on the farms is also a factor that would have affected the prevalence rate of the parasites in the farms. High stocking density increases the contamination of the environment with these parasitic eggs or larvae and thus makes the infective stages more accessible to susceptible animals. Lower parasitic prevalences of 37.77%, 38.8% and 42.7% in pigs of India and Nigeria have been reported [15,16,17] Five intestinal parasites of veterinary importance were observed in the study: four nematodes (Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Strongyloides spp, Oesophagostomum dentatum) and one cestode (Pseudanoplocephala spp). However, a previous study in Nigeria by [17] identified eight parasites, Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis and Strongyloides spp included [13]. In South Africa four parasites including Ascaris suum and Trichuris suis. A. suum and T. suis have been observed to affect growing animals, as compared to O. dentatum that affects adult animals. This is in accordance with the present study, in which both these parasites were found to be most prevalent when compared to others. The transmission of all these parasites is faecal-oral and direct, via eggs containing an infective third stage larva (L3) as in the case of A. suum and T. suis, and free living L3 as seen in O. dentatum. The relatively low spectrum of parasites observed could be linked to the intensive husbandry system used in raising the pigs. The overall prevalence (26.4%) of A. suum in this study was similar to a study from India [18], who recorded a 27.5% prevalence rate. It was, however, lower than the prevalence recorded for other studies, namely 40% by [14] in Bukinafaso, and 44.5% by [13] in South Africa. Lower prevalence rates of 11.1% and 14.7% were recorded in Nigeria EBUBE CHARLES AMAECHI ET AL. 88 [16,17] In the present study, Trichuris suis occurred in similar proportions of 26.4%. This is higher than the report of [16,17] who recorded 12.2% and 0.7% rates respectively. Higher prevalence of 50.6% of T. suis was reported in South Africa [13]. The higher prevalence of A. suum and T. suis in this study might be connected to the fact that eggs of whipworms are hard and so can withstand adverse environmental conditions for a long period of time [19]. The prevalence of Strongyloides spp observed in the present study (21.9%) is similar to the findings of [14] in Bukinafaso, who reported a 21% rate. It is, however, higher than the report of [17] in Nigeria who recorded a 2.0% prevalence rate. The level of infection observed in this study might be due to the atmospheric conditions (rainy season) which favoured the proliferation of the parasite. The larvae require the right environmental temperature and moisture content for development and survival of the eggs. The prevalence of Oesophagostomum dentatum observed in the present study (20.0%) is higher than the findings of [16] 1.1% prevalence rate. Most workers in other parts of the world did not report this parasite. The parasite might be location specific. The prevalence of Pseudanoplocephala spp. was observed in the present study (5.6%). It was however the least prevalent. This was lower than the findings of [20] in Nigeria who reported a 17% prevalence rate. Transmission of Pseudanoplocephala spp from pigs to humans has been established; therefore it could be zoonotic and hence a public health concern. In terms of infections, single infections were more prevalent (56.8%) than mixed infections (12.0%). This also agrees with the findings of [16]. Mixed infections were also observed, namely the combinations of Trichuris suis and Strongyloides spp and that of Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis and Strongyloides spp. [7] reported similar findings in Nigeria. Polyparasitism in pigs is a common phenomenon which shows the rate of transmission to man. The piglets of 0-8months were more infected in the two farms combined (74.12%) than the other pigs in the different age groups. Piglets are more susceptible to parasitic infection as their immune systems are still in the development process and they may not be able to resist infection like the older pigs. Similar observations have been made by others [16, 21]. In the present study, more males (67.42%) were infected than the females (62.60%). This is in consonance with the report of other authors in Nigeria and Botswana [16,22] but contrasts with the reports of [14,23]. Previous workers, however, attributed a higher prevalence rate in females due to a decreased resistance in females especially in relation to pregnancy and lactation. Our present result may possibly not show this effect because the female pigs may have had a stronger host genetic resistance compared to the males. The results of this work provide a baseline data about the parasite fauna in intensively managed pig farms in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. This would go a long way to help plan and improve on the present management practices already in place to reduce parasitic infection of pigs. 5. Conclusion This work has revealed the prevalence of infection with intestinal parasites among the pigs studied (64.55%). The piglets of 0-8months were more frequently infected than the pigs in other age groups. It is also evident that pig faeces could be a source of re-infection to the pigs if they are not cleaned out on time. Eating infected or improperly cooked pork meat could infect the consumer (zoonosis). In view of this, it is recommended that pig pens should be cleaned on a regular basis and should be treated regularly to prevent or reduce infection to the barest minimum level. Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. 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