Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate prevalence of
gastrointestinal parasites and Cryptosporidium species in extensively managed
pigs in Mekelle and urban areas of southern zone of Tigray Region, Ethiopia
during June - September, 2012.
Materials and Methods: Seven hundred
fourteen pigs of different ages and sexes were selected for fecal sample
collection. Fecal samples were collected from the rectum of pigs with strict
sanitation. A total of 25 soil samples were also collected from backyards of pig
pens using clean zipped plastic bags. Both fecal and soil samples were examined
for eggs and cysts of GIT parasites by flotation and sedimentation techniques.
Modified Ziehl – Neelsen technique was used to examine oocysts of
Cryptosporidium species from 276 randomly selected fecal samples.
Results:
Out of 714 pigs examined through flotation and sedimentation, 27.3% were
infected by at least one gastrointestinal parasite. Ascaris suum (25.9%) was the
most prevalent parasite followed by Fasciola hepatica (1.8%), Eimeria spp.
(1.7%) and Trichuris suis (0.3%). There was no significant association between
sex and prevalence of parasites χ2[df 1] = 1.921; P=0.166). Contrary to this,
age of pigs had effect on prevalence of parasites χ2[df 2] = 8.376; P=0.015).
About 7% of pigs examined were positive for oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp.
Moreover, 72% of the soil samples found to be contaminated with eggs of Ascaris
spp. in the study area. Apart from causing morbidity in the infected pigs, the
potential of Ascaris of pigs to infect man and vice versa together with poor
environmental hygiene, may complicate the epidemiology and control of Ascariasis
in the study areas. Extensively managed pigs may also act as potential
reservoirs for zoonoses of Cryptosporidium species.
Conclusion: It is
concluded that further investigations are crucial on molecular characterization
of Ascaris and Cryptosporidium isolates of extensively managed pigs to determine
the parasites upto species level so as to suggest proper control strategies.
Keywords: Ascaris spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Ethiopia, extensive pig
management, gastrointestinal parasites, Mekelle, Tigray Region
