Preliminary study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs managed and slaughtered in Umuahia north local government area of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs was studied to identify and estimate the burden of parasites of pigs managed and slaughtered in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, Nigeria between April to June, 2017. Faecal samples from freshly passed faeces and from the rectum of 150 pigs were collected randomly from two pig farms and three slaughter houses and analyzed in the laboratory using the formal-ether sedimentation method. Microscopic examination was done using x10 and x40 objectives. Out of the 150 faecal samples collected from 92 females and 58 males, 36(24 %) and 28(18.7 %) were infected respectively giving a total prevalence of 64(42.7 %). Chi-square analysis showed that the prevalence was not sex dependent (p>0.05). Eight parasites species were observed; Ascaris suum (14.7 %), Balantidium coli (9.3 %), Taenia solium (1.3 %),Trichuris suis (0.7 %), Entamoeba sp. (0.7 %), Strongyloides sp. (2.0 %), Oesophagostomum sp. (2.7%) and Globocephalus sp. (11.3 %). A. suum was the most prevalent parasite. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was higher in adult pigs (≥12 months) (26.0 %) when compared to the growers (7 – 12 months) (10.0 %) and piglets (<7 months) (6.7 %). The prevalence recorded in this study was age dependent (p<0.05). Proper management of pigs in both farms and slaughterhouses should encourage enhancing productivity, maximizing profit and reduce the rate of infection among people eating pork. Pork should not be exposed to flies when slaughtered and must be cooked thoroughly before consumption.

Keywords: Pigs, Gastrointestinal parasites, Farms, Slaughterhouses, Umuahia North