The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections in pigs in Kenya C. J. Nganga, D. N. Karanja and M. N. Mutune
Tropical Animal Health and Production. Volume 40, Number 5 / juin 2008
Abstract
The prevalence of helminth infection, species spectrum and worm burdens in Kenyan pigs was examined. A total of 115 gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) from 61 growers and 54 adult pigs were examined between February 2005 and January 2006. Seventy eight (67.8%) had one or more helminth parasites, of which thirty six (31.3%) were mixed infection. Ten types of helminth parasites encountered in descending order of prevalence were, Oesophagostomum dentatum
(39.1%), Trichuris suis
(32.2%), Ascaris suum
(28.7%), Oesophagostomum quadrispinulatum
(14.8%), Trichostrongylus colubriformis
(10.4%), Trichostrongylus axei
(4.3%), Strongyloides ransomi
(4.3%), Hyostrongylus rubidus
(1.7%), Ascarops strongylina
(1.7%) and Physocephalus sexalutus
(0.9%). Oesophagostomum dentatum
was the most prevalent species (51.9%) in the adult pigs, while Trichuris suis
was the most prevalent species (44.3%) in growers. The highest worm counts were recorded in the out door production system. Oesophagostomum quadrispinulatum
, Trichostrongylus colubriformis
, Trichostrongylus axei
, Hyostrongylus rubidus
, Ascarops strongylina
and Physocephalus sexalutus
were recorded in Kenya for the first time. The high prevalence and wide spectrum observed in the present study suggests that helminth infection may be a constraint to economic pig production in the country and there is need to institute control measures.
Keywords
Helminths - Kenya - Pigs - Prevalence - Spectrum