Prevalence of characteristic macroscopic lung pathologies in pigs at slaughter in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Considering the importance of pork in daily nutrition and livelihood of the people, the relatively large pig population in Benue State, coupled with others from neighbouring states, this cross-sectional study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of definable macroscopic lung lesions in pigs slaughtered in Makurdi. Lesions were scored and grossly characterized based on the type and severity. Test of association between the prevalence of lung pathologies and the different studied variables were carried out using bivariate analysis. Overall, 36.4% (146/401) pigs had lung pathologies comprising emphysema 5 (1.3%), enzootic pneumonia 11 (2.7%), pleuropneumonia 12 (3.0%), tuberculosis 3 (0.8%) and verminous pneumonia 115 (28.7%). Age of pig was statistically significant (P <0.0001) for lung pathologies. Furthermore, lung score revealed that 83 (20.7%) and 63 (15.7%) of the lungs were mildly and severely affected, respectively resulting either in partial or total condemnation. Apparently healthy lungs 255 (63.6%) were more likely to be free from lesions (P <0.0001). Tuberculous and pneumonic lesions were the most frequent lung lesion observed in pigs at slaughter in Makurdi, with a moderately high prevalence rate. This study acts as a pointer to field disease condition and has demonstrated even cases of public health importance hence, reminding meat inspectors, veterinarians and pig farmers in Nigeria of the importance of swine respiratory diseases and their possible risk factors. Finally, this study calls for an in-depth surveillance into lung pathologies of pigs, as well as the need to educate pig farmers in Nigeria on the importance of veterinary care in order to reduce the impacts of respiratory diseases on porcine production through appropriate and effective control measures.

Keywords: Macroscopic lung pathologies, Prevalence, Respiratory diseases, Slaughtered pig, Benue State, North central Nigeria