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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