Prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in pigs in Lusaka, Zambia
This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> in pigs which were being raised in intensive management systems. Faecal samples were collected from pigs of all age groups from three different piggery unit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2012-02-01
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| Series: | Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ojvr.org/index.php/ojvr/article/view/404 |
| _version_ | 1818522014052253696 |
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| author | Joyce Siwila Kabemba E. Mwape |
| author_facet | Joyce Siwila Kabemba E. Mwape |
| author_sort | Joyce Siwila |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> in pigs which were being raised in intensive management systems. Faecal samples were collected from pigs of all age groups from three different piggery units. Samples were collected directly from the rectum for piglets and weaners and from the floor within 2 min – 5 min of excretion for sows and boars. At the time of collection, faecal consistency was noted as being normal, pasty or diarrhoeic. Samples were analysed further using the Merifluor® <em>Cryptosporidium</em>/<em>Giardia</em> immunofluorescence assay. All piggeries had at least one pig infected with either parasite. From a total 217 samples collected, 96 (44.2%; confidence interval [CI] = 37.6% – 50.9%) were positive for <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp., whilst 26 (12%; CI = 7.6% – 16.3%) had <em>G. duodenalis</em> parasites. Of all the pigs, 6.9% (15/217) harboured both parasites. With regard to <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. infection, statistically significant differences were observed amongst the three units (<em>p</em> = 0.001), whereas no significant differences were observed for <em>G. duodenalis</em> infection (<em>p</em> = 0.13). Prevalence was higher in weaners as compared to other pig classes for both parasites, with significant differences being observed for <em>G. duodenalis</em> infection (<em>p</em> = 0.013). There was, however, no difference in infection between male and female pigs for both parasites. Furthermore, most infections were asymptomatic. From the study results it was clear that <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>G. duodenalis</em> infections were prevalent amongst pigs in the piggeries evaluated and, as such, may act as a source of infection for persons who come into contact with them. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T02:59:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1d1a3a3dcefd4c84b4bb1337d8c595b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0030-2465 2219-0635 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T02:59:02Z |
| publishDate | 2012-02-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-1d1a3a3dcefd4c84b4bb1337d8c595b92022-12-22T01:23:05ZengAOSISOnderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research0030-24652219-06352012-02-01791e1e5375Prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in pigs in Lusaka, ZambiaJoyce Siwila0Kabemba E. Mwape1Department of Clinical Studies, University of ZambiaDepartment of Clinical Studies, University of Zambia, Zambia; Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, South AfricaThis study was aimed at determining the prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> in pigs which were being raised in intensive management systems. Faecal samples were collected from pigs of all age groups from three different piggery units. Samples were collected directly from the rectum for piglets and weaners and from the floor within 2 min – 5 min of excretion for sows and boars. At the time of collection, faecal consistency was noted as being normal, pasty or diarrhoeic. Samples were analysed further using the Merifluor® <em>Cryptosporidium</em>/<em>Giardia</em> immunofluorescence assay. All piggeries had at least one pig infected with either parasite. From a total 217 samples collected, 96 (44.2%; confidence interval [CI] = 37.6% – 50.9%) were positive for <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp., whilst 26 (12%; CI = 7.6% – 16.3%) had <em>G. duodenalis</em> parasites. Of all the pigs, 6.9% (15/217) harboured both parasites. With regard to <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. infection, statistically significant differences were observed amongst the three units (<em>p</em> = 0.001), whereas no significant differences were observed for <em>G. duodenalis</em> infection (<em>p</em> = 0.13). Prevalence was higher in weaners as compared to other pig classes for both parasites, with significant differences being observed for <em>G. duodenalis</em> infection (<em>p</em> = 0.013). There was, however, no difference in infection between male and female pigs for both parasites. Furthermore, most infections were asymptomatic. From the study results it was clear that <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>G. duodenalis</em> infections were prevalent amongst pigs in the piggeries evaluated and, as such, may act as a source of infection for persons who come into contact with them.http://www.ojvr.org/index.php/ojvr/article/view/404Cryptosporidium spp.GiardiapigsprevalenceZambia |
| spellingShingle | Joyce Siwila Kabemba E. Mwape Prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in pigs in Lusaka, Zambia Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research Cryptosporidium spp. Giardia pigs prevalence Zambia |
| title | Prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in pigs in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_full | Prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in pigs in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in pigs in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in pigs in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_short | Prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in pigs in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_sort | prevalence of i cryptosporidium i spp and i giardia duodenalis i in pigs in lusaka zambia |
| topic | Cryptosporidium spp. Giardia pigs prevalence Zambia |
| url | http://www.ojvr.org/index.php/ojvr/article/view/404 |
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