Prevalence, Intensity, and Risk Factors for Helminth Infections in Pigs in Menoua, Western Highlands of Cameroon, with Some Data on Protozoa

Abstract

Helminthes affect satisfactory pig farming by causing poor growth rate and infertility. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of helminthes in pig production, as well as factors influencing their prevalence in Menoua, Western Highlands of Cameroon. Thus, 597 fecal samples from 100 farms of three production types (farrower, grower, and farrow-to-finish) were collected together with data on farmer and management characteristics. Samples were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Eggs of eight helminthes were identified: Hyostrongylus rubidus (81.10%, 50-550 epg), Strongyloides ransomi (34.5%, 50-150 epg), Trichostrongylus sp. (28.1%, 50-650 epg), Ascaris suum (11.6%, 50-200 epg), Metastrongylus sp. (10.4%, 50-250 epg), Oesophagostomum dentatum (5.7%, 50-150 epg), Trichuris suis (4.0%, 50-150 epg), and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (0.2%, 50-50 epg). The overall prevalence was 89.3% (533 out of 597). Single infestations were 30.2%, while mixed infestations were 59.1%. A. suum, S. ransomi, and strongyles (H. rubidus, Trichostrongylus sp., Metastrongylus sp., and O. dentatum) were found in almost all age groups but the prevalence of A. suum increased with the growing age to drop in older animals. H. rubidus was found in all farm types followed by S. ransomi in farrower and farrow-to-finish farms. The other parasites were present only in farrow-to-finish farms. Coccidia parasites were also found including Isospora suis (26.30%, 50-12500 oocysts per gram of feces (opg)) and Eimeria spp. (1.40%, 100-100 opg). The risk of infestation for some parasites was lower with increasing herd size, high education level of farmers, and in wooden piggeries and semipermanent structures. The infestation risk was higher for all the investigated parasites for pigs escaping the pens. The overall significance of these parasites on growth and reproduction of the naturally infested pigs deserve assessment. Necropsy studies to confirm the worm burden are needed. Risk factors were identified, thus paving the way to design successful helminth control in pig production enterprises.

Comparative Analysis of Ascaris suum and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus Infections in Free-Ranging and Captive Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) in Hungary

“…The Sardinian studies showed the smallest differences in incidence; the difference was only −0.75% (Tables 4-6). Cameroon pig farm 0.2% 2022 [35] Italy (Sardinia) woodland area wild boar 13.6% 2022 [45] Brazil woodland area wild boar 1.04% 2023 [38] Research data on M. hirudinaceus from different parts of the world. Occurrence of A. suum and M. hirudinaceus by country, differences compared to Hungarian data.…”

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Pigs: A Preliminary Study in Tolon and Kumbungu Districts, Ghana

“…The transmission of these zoonotic parasites may get complex if not curbed as, for instance, an aberrant A. suum infection has been reported in a dog in China [ 39 ] underpinning the domestic animal as a potential host alongside rodent reservoirs [ 13 ]. The other identified parasites, which have also been identified within Ghana and outside by other researchers, are equally important as they cause significant losses in pigs [ 16 , 28 , 40 ] although farmers may be unaware due to subclinical infections [ 40 ]. The impact of polyparasitism on the affected pigs was not examined in the present study, but it is thought to be significant due to the higher rate polyparasitism seen.…”

“…Gastrointestinal parasites, i.e., helminths and protozoans, tend to hinder profitable pig production; causing poor feed conversion [10], delayed estrus, and conception rate [13], producing lesions that may lead to condemnation of organs and or carcasses [14] and even death [15]. Also, pigs are host to a number of zoonotic parasites that have an impact on public health [16][17][18]. Meanwhile, the epidemiology of intestinal infections in pigs is not well understood in many localities, but this is essential if good disease management strategies are to be developed.…”

Survey of intestinal parasites in swine farms raised in Western Nepal

“…Hyostrongylus rubidus, Strongyloides ransomi, Trichostrongylus sp., Ascaris suum, Metastrongylus sp., Oesophagostomum dentatum, Trichuris suis and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Nansen & Roepstorff, 1999;Kouam & Ngueguim, 2022).…”

“…Pigs could carry many gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) which would hinder growth of pigs, leading to significant economic loss to the livestock industries (Joachim et al., 2001 ). Some commonly encountered intestinal helminth parasites in pigs include Hyostrongylus rubidus , Strongyloides ransomi , Trichostrongylus sp., Ascaris suum , Metastrongylus sp., Oesophagostomum dentatum , Trichuris suis and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Nansen & Roepstorff, 1999 ; Kouam & Ngueguim, 2022 ).…”