Occurrence of Intestinal Parasites and Its Impact on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Pigs Raised Under Near-Organic Conditions

Abstract

Parasite infection is a common problem in organic pig production, which can compromise health and growth of pigs, threaten food safety of pork products, and cause economic losses to organic farmers. To develop management strategies for controlling parasites, we evaluated intestinal parasite infection in pigs at different ages and of different sexes, and investigated whether parasite infection influences growth performance and carcass traits in a cross-sectional study. Fecal samples were collected from pigs (n = 298) raised under near-organic standards during nursery, growing, finishing, and gestating phases for analysis of fecal egg counts (FEC) of Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, and Oesophagostomum spp. Ascaris suum eggs were not detected in the feces of nursery pigs. Eggs of Ascaris suum were found in 45%, 74%, and 0% of fecal samples of growing pigs, finishing pigs, and gestating sows, respectively, after false-positive adjustment (P < 0.001). Mean FEC of Ascaris suum was higher in infected finishing pigs than in infected growing pigs [2,502 vs. 724 eggs per gram (epg), P < 0.001]. No differences in percent of Ascaris suum positive samples or FEC of Ascaris suum were detected between sexes. Growth performance and carcass traits were not different between non-infected pigs and those infected with Ascaris suum. All pigs (n = 32) examined at slaughter had white spots on the liver, and 78% harbored Ascaris suum worms. Trichuris suis eggs were not detected in any fecal samples. Eggs of Oesophagostomum spp. were found in 7%, 0%, 1%, and 9% of fecal samples of nursery pigs, growing pigs, finishing pigs, and gestating sows, respectively, with a maximum FEC of 40 epg in all age groups. These results indicate Ascaris suum was the predominant parasite infecting growing and finishing pigs in the herds studied. To control A. suum infection, future research should investigate the efficacy of treating pigs with organically approved anthelmintics during the growing phase of production.

Relationships among Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Parasitological Parameters, Ecotoxicity, and Biochemical Methane Potential of Pig Slurry

“…and Trichostrongylus spp. These zoonotic parasites are frequently found in pig slurry [7,10,11,59]. Recently, other authors also reported the presence of Ascaris suum, Eimeria spp., Balantidium coli, Strongyloides ransomi, Cryptosporidium spp, and Oesophagostomum spp.…”

“…Recently, other authors also reported the presence of Ascaris suum, Eimeria spp., Balantidium coli, Strongyloides ransomi, Cryptosporidium spp, and Oesophagostomum spp. in the intestine of pigs [10,11]. Additionally, the highest observed frequency of parasites found in W sheds could be attributed to younger animals that have an immature immune system and, consequently, an increased risk of infection by parasites.…”

“…Pig slurry is a liquid mixture of pig feces and urine that contains an abundance of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites [3,9]. The main intestinal parasites commonly observed in pigs are Ascaris suum, Eimeria spp., Balantidium coli, Strongyloides ransomi, Cryptosporidium spp, Oesophagostomum spp., and Trichuris suis [10,11]. Enterobacteriaceae is the main bacteria family in pig slurry.…”

Impact of biofumigation on reducing swine parasite contamination on organic pastures

“…egg counts. Samples (5 to 10 g/sample) were collected either before the feces was dropped on the ground or from the top of feces recently dropped (still warm) on the ground as described previously (Li et al 2022). Each sample was placed in a labeled plastic Zip-lock bag and stored on ice in a cooler immediately after sampling.…”

Ascaris suum infection in juvenile pigs elicits a local Th2 response in a setting of ongoing Th1 expansion

“…The large roundworm Ascaris suum (A. suum) is one of the most relevant and prevalent gastrointestinal, soil-transmitted helminths in swine worldwide (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Due to its zoonotic potential, its eradication is a major One Health concern (6).…”