The prevalence of internal and external parasites in pigs of different ages and sexes in Southeast District, Botswana

Botswana imports most pig-based products from neighbouring countries. Pig farming is limited by, among other things, the negative effect of parasites and diseases on production. The object of this study was to determine the prevalence of ecto- and endoparasites in pigs of different ages and sexes in the Southeast District of Botswana. Thirty-nine pigs were sampled for endoparasites and 19 for ectoparasites during a period of 2 1/2 months. Of all the pigs sampled, 54,55% were infected with Ascaris suum, 20,45 % with Trichostrongylus spp. and 6,82 % with Trichuris suis. Ascaris suum was found to be the most common endoparasite infesting both mature, i.e. 12 months and older, and young, i.e. less than 12 months old, pigs. Although not significantly different (P > 0,05), the prevalence of this parasite species was slightly higher (68,42 % with an average of 1 023 ± 545 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces per pig) in mature than in young pigs (55 % with an average of 1 500 ± 846 EPG of faeces per pig). The prevalence of Trichostrongylus spp. was lower in mature (5,26% with 20 ± 14 EPG of faeces per pig) than in young pigs (25 % with 22 ± 9 EPG of faeces per pig). The prevalence of T. suis was also lower in mature (0 % infection) than in young pigs (15 % with 9 ± 4 EPG of faeces per pig). The prevalence of the three endoparasite species was not significantly different between the sexes A. suum (1 020 ± 883 v. 1 503 ± 522 EPG of faeces per pig), Trichostrongylus spp. (24 ± 14 v. 18 ± 8 EPG of faeces per pig) and T. suis (11 ± 6 v. 2 ± 4 EPG of faeces per pig) for male and female pigs respectively. Sarcoptes scabiei was the only ectoparasite identified on the pigs sampled for external parasites. It infested 40 % of all pigs but the infestation on young pigs (70 %) was higher than on the mature ones (33,33 %). Since the infection of internal and external parasites was similar in young and old pigs of both sexes, controlling parasites is of great importance since these generally lead to reduced production and are also of public health concern . It is recommended that a further study be carried out to investigate the effect of internal and external parasites on productivity.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat v.9 was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.Botswana College of Agriculture.mn201

Some potential sources for transmission of Campylobacter jejuni to broiler chickens

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine Campylobacter jejuni contamination and prevalence on fomites moving between broiler farms and the processing plant in the period after cleaning and before departure to harvest chickens. In addition, changes in the proportion of contaminated fomites in the course of a day were assessed. Methods and Results: Pooled swab samples were obtained from pallets, crates, wheels of trucks, tractors and forklifts, truck beds, and from drivers' and catchers' boots. After enrichment in Bolton's broth Campylobacter were recovered on modified blood-free Campylobacter selective agar (mCCDA). Isolates were identified using tests for phenotypic and biochemical characteristics. Of the 209 samples collected, 53% were positive for C. jejuni, with all fomites positive except tractor wheels. Pallets had the highest contamination rate at 75%. More than 50% of catchers' boots, drivers' boots, crates and truck wheels were positive. Forty-seven per cent and 31% of truck beds and forklift wheels, respectively, were contaminated. The proportion of contaminated fomites did not change significantly during the day. Conclusions: This study has identified trucks, forklifts, pallets, crates, drivers' and catchers' boots as potential sources of C. jejuni for broilers. Significance and Impact of the Study: Campylobacter jejuni contamination of broiler processing plant fomites was found to be extensive ranging from 31% for truck beds to 75% for pallets. The proportion of contaminated fomites was observed to be similar throughout the day. The impact of contaminated fomites as sources of colonization of broilers with C. jejuni is discussed