Prevalence, risk factors and economic importance of infestations with Sarcoptes scabiei and Haematopinus suis in sows of pig breeding farms in Hesse, Germany

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey was performed in 110 randomly selected pig-breeding farms of southern Hesse, Germany to estimate the prevalence of ectoparasite infestations and to find possible risk factors. Ear scrapings of, if available, 10 sows per farm were examined for Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis (De Geer) (Acaridida: Sarcoptidae) by the potassium hydroxide digestion method, and a total of 2754 sows was inspected for skin lesions and infestations with Haematopinus suis (L.) (Anoplurida: Haematopinidae). Data on farm profiles and sows were collected by a questionnaire. In total, 19.1% and 2.5% of the sows were found to be infested with S. scabiei or H. suis, respectively. The percentage of mite or louse infestation was significantly higher in sows showing pruritus than in those without skin lesions. Both ectoparasite infestations were related neither to the age of sows nor their reproduction status, nor to the time interval to last ectoparasite treatment. Using farms as the unit of analysis, the estimated prevalence of mange mite and louse infestations was 45.4% and 14.5%, respectively. There was no significant association between the presence of S. scabiei and H. suis in the farms. Risk factors for S. scabiei infestation were mixed housing of dry and nursing sows in the same unit (vs. separate housing) and straw bedding (vs. strawless). For louse infestation, only mechanical cleaning of stable units (vs. additional use of disinfection methods) and pasturing of gilts and dry sows were identified as risk factors. The economic loss by S. scabiei infestation in the study population was assessed at euro 4200 per affected farm and year on average.

Sarcoptic mange infestation in pigs: an overview

“…From Ghana 38.2 % pigs have been reported as infested with Saroptes suis (Permin et al 1999). The prevalence of the infestation from Germany has been recorded as 45.4 % (Damriyasa et al 2004). Alonso de Vega et al (1998) reported 37 % of the 1,318 slaughtered pigs of southeastern Spain examined were found positive for S. scabiei var.…”

“…For this, pig owners are generally concerned about the internal parasitic infections and ignored the external parasitic infestations. But external parasitic infestations particularly mange mite infestation in pigs are very much important because of its economic significance (Damriyasa et al 2004). Sarcoptic mange infestation in pigs are caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabies var.…”

PREVALÊNCIA DE Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis EM GRANJAS DE REPRODUTORES SUÍDEOS CERTIFICADAS DO ESTADO DO PARANÁ, NO PERÍODO DE 2002 A 2004

“…A maior parte dos dados de prevalência para S. scabiei observados em outros países e em outras regiões no Brasil foram muito superiores aos encontrados nas Granjas de Reprodutores de Suídeos Certificadas (GRSC) deste estudo, provavelmente por terem sido realizados em granjas comerciais e criações caseiras e não em granjas de reprodutores certificadas que, obrigatoriamente, devem ser livres do ácaro (SABIITI et al, 1979;GUTIERREZ et al, 1996;VEGA et al 1998;SILVA, 2002;HOLMGREN e WALLGREN, 2003;DAMRIYASA et al, 2004 ).…”

“…Nos Estados Unidos, 25,30% na região central e 22,50% no noroeste do país foram positivos (SABIITI et al, 1979), e em granjas comerciais de suínos na Suécia a prevalência foi de 22% (HOLMGREN, 2003). As propriedades comerciais do sul da Alemanha apresentaram a menor prevalência, com 19,1% de animais positivos (DAMRIYASA et al, 2004).…”

“…Os fatores de risco para a sarna sarcóptica incluem as condições higiênicas da granja, a lotação por animal, a cama de palha e o excesso de moscas nas instalações (PAIVA et al, 2003;DAMRIYASA et al, 2004). A sarna subclínica e o uso errôneo de produtos acaricidas ocasionando a não eliminação completa do parasita podem também contribuir para a permanência do agente (BOGATKO, 1974;SILVA, 2002).…”