Factors associated with the occurrence and level of Isospora suis oocyst excretion in nursing piglets of Greek farrow-to-finish herds

Abstract

BackgroundPiglet isosporosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases in modern pig production. To prevent clinical disease, prophylactic treatment of piglets with toltrazuril (BAYCOX® 5%, Bayer HealthCare, Animal Health, Monheim, Germany) is widely practiced in the past 20 years. There are only very few reports documenting the likely effect of managerial practices, such as hygiene measures, all-in-all-out management of farrowing facilities and piglet manipulations, and/or farm-specific environment - i.e. design and materials of the farrowing pen and room - in the risk of disease occurrence and transmission. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we identified litter- and herd-level factors associated with the odds and the level of Isospora suis oocyst excretion in nursing piglets of Greek farrow-to-finish pig herds. Faecal samples were collected from 314 liters of 55 randomly selected herds. Oocyst counts were determined by a modified McMaster technique and possible risk-factor data were collected through a questionnaire. In the analysis, we employed a two-part model that simultaneously assessed the odds and the level of oocyst excretion.ResultsFactors associated with lower odds of oocyst excretion were: use of toltrazuril treatment, all-in all-out management of the farrowing rooms, no cross-fostering or fostering during the first 24 hours after farrowing, plastic flooring in the farrowing pens, farrowing rooms with more than fourteen farrowing pens and employment of more than two caretakers in the farrowing section. Factors associated with lower oocyst excretion level were: use of toltrazuril treatment and caretakers averting from entering into farrowing pens.ConclusionApart from prophylactic treatment with toltrazuril, the risk and the level of I. suis oocyst excretion from piglets in their second week of life, was associated with managerial and environmental factors. Changes in these factors, which may enhance prevention of piglet isosporosis – either alternatively or supplementary to medical control – are of increasing importance because of the likely development of resistant parasites under the currently widespread use of anticoccidial compounds.

Efficacy of an injectable toltrazuril – gleptoferron (Forceris®) to control coccidiosis (Cystoisospora suis) in comparison with iron supplemented piglets without anticoccidial treatment

“…In this multicenter study C. suis infection rates varied considerably between farms (38.5% (HP1) to 97.0% (GC1) of untreated controls). Such variations were reported earlier and obviously correspond to farm management and hygiene measures ( Aliaga-Leyton et al, 2011 , Skampardonis et al, 2012 ). Regional aspects may also have an impact on coccidiosis prevalence ( Meyer et al, 1999 ).…”

Improving the management procedures in farms infected with the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus using PDP models

“…Finally, this approach is also useful for parasitic diseases and, for example, if cross-fostering was either not applied or was carried out only during the first 24 hours of life in a herd decrease the possibility of Isospora suis oocyst excretion versus herds in which the cross-fostering of piglets after day one of life was commonly carried out. Moreover, it has been observed that cross-fostered piglets may shed earlier this parasite and may be responsible for litter contamination 39 .…”

Risks associated with preweaning mortality in 855 litters on 39 commercial outdoor pig farms in England

“…Coccidiosis transmission occurs in faeces and the disease is difficult to control in outdoor herds where it is difficult to prevent contact with faeces (Skampardonis et al, 2012). This was the only vaccination or medication variable that was significantly associated with piglet mortality in the final model.…”