Helminthosis in local and cross-bred pigs in the Morogoro region of Tanzania

Prev Vet Med. 1997 Sep;32(1-2):41-6. doi: 10.1016/s0167-5877(97)00011-1.

Abstract

We investigated the prevalence, burden and types of gastro-intestinal helminths in 424 local and cross-bred pigs kept under different management systems in two climatic zones in the Morogoro region of Tanzania. Coprological examination revealed that 53% of the pigs excreted helminth eggs in their faeces. The median eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) was 500 (range 100-22,000). Local breeds in the Mgeta location with tropical highland climate showed significantly higher prevalence (P < 0.001) and median EPG values (P < 0.001) than the cross-bred animals in the semi-arid area. There was no significant difference in the prevalence (P = 0.90) of helminth infection and egg outputs (P = 0.78) in cross-bred pigs raised under the small-scale and semi-intensive management systems in the semi-arid zone. Piglets showed significantly lower prevalence of helminthosis (P < 0.001) than the weaners, growers and adults in both local and cross-bred animals. Median EPGs of growers and adult animals were significantly higher than those of piglets and weaners (P = 0.006). The prevalences of various helminth species were Oesophagostomum sp. (40%), Ascaris suum (12%), Strongyloides ransomi (9%) and Trichuris suis (5%).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Climate
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / epidemiology*
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / parasitology
  • Prevalence
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Swine Diseases / parasitology
  • Tanzania / epidemiology