PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES AND TRYPANOSOMES IN INTESIVELY MANAGED PIGS IN NSUKKA URBAN AND ENVIRONS.

Abstract

Four month cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of trypanosomes and gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of pigs in intensively managed farms in Nsukka Municipal and environs. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select communities. 20 farms were randomly selected based on herd size and willingness of the farmers to engage in the study. Blood and fecal samples were collected from 1400 pigs and screened for trypanosomes and GIN following standard procedures. Structured questionnaires, oral interviews, visitations/observations and farm records were also used in data collection. Results showed that whereas PCV of the pigs increased with age, infection with GIN lowered it. No pigs screened was positive for trypanosomes but 400 (28.57%) were positive for GIN. The GIN seen include Strongyles (25.70%), Trichuris suis (11.43%), Ascaris suum (0.71%), mixed infection (Strongyles and Trichuris suis), 9.29%. There was relationship between sex and nematode infection. In females, 30% (137.96 ± 51.84 epg) prevalent rate was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than 26.67% (9.56 ± 2.93 epg) recorded in males. Within herd structure, adults were significantly (p < 0.05) more infected than growers and finishers (45.00 vs. 28.05 and 21.05%). Herd size ranged from 20 to 200 and all the farmers breed and fatten their pigs. Although 19 (90%), 4 (20%) of them occasionally treat pigs with anthelminthic and or antitrypanosidal drugs, none has knowledge of herd health but applies some measure of hygiene.