Vet World Vol.17 February-2024 Article-4
Research Article
Veterinary World, 17(2): 273-281
https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2024.273-281
Prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites on pig farms in Kalasin Province, Thailand
2. One Health Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand.
3. Veterinary Infectious Disease Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand.
Background and Aim: Gastrointestinal (GI) parasite infections are the foremost and prevalent diseases that affect pigs in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of GI parasites among pigs in Kalasin Province. This study is the first attempt to understand the occurrence of GI parasites in pigs within Kalasin province using fecal samples as the methodology.
Materials and Methods: We collected 324 fecal samples directly from the rectums of pigs from May to July 2023. The formalin-ethyl acetate concentration and floatation methods were used to examine these samples. The eggs or oocysts were identified by observing their morphology and size under a light microscope.
Results: Of the 324 fecal samples examined, 276 tested positive for gastrointestinal parasitic infections, resulting in a prevalence rate of 85.19%. Nematodes were the most prevalent, with Strongyle-type infections being the highest in 267 cases (82.41%), followed by Ascaris suum in 222 cases (68.52%), and Trichuris spp. in 152 cases (46.91%). Strongyloides spp. infections were also observed in 92 cases (28.40%). However, trematode infection was relatively rare, with only Fasciola spp. found in 15 cases (4.63%). We identified Eimeria spp. in 87 cases (26.85%), Iodamoeba spp. in 70 cases (21.60%), Balantidium coli in 67 cases (20.68%), and Isospora spp. in 52 cases (16.05%). Notably, most of the positive fecal samples showed double infections with a prevalence rate of approximately 38.27%. Single infections were the next most common, accounting for 25.31% of the cases, followed by 3 parasites (14.81%) and 4–5 parasites (6.79%).
Conclusion: This study underscores the high endemicity of GI parasites among pigs in Kalasin province. To improve prevention and control measures, it is recommended to establish a health monitoring program that includes deworming and emphasizes good hygiene practices. The insights gained from this study will contribute to the enhancement of pig farming practices in Kalasin province, ultimately leading to improved production and profitability. In addition, future research should focus on detecting these parasites in Kalasin and exploring their relationship with human transmission cycle. Keywords: gastrointestinal parasites, Kalasin, pig, prevalence.
Keywords: gastrointestinal parasites, Kalasin, pig, prevalence.
How to cite this article: Thanasuwan S, Piratae S, Thaowandee K, and Amporn C (2024) Prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites on pig farms in Kalasin Province, Thailand, Veterinary World, 17(2): 273-281.
Received: 14-09-2023 Accepted: 09-01-2024 Published online: 01-02-2024
Corresponding author: Sirikanda Thanasuwan E-mail: sirikanda.th@ksu.ac.th
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.273-281
Copyright: Thanasuwan, et al. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.