DETECTION OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN COMMERCIAL SWINE FARMS IN CEBU, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites are known to cause losses and poor performance in the swine industry due to decreased litter size and reduced productivity. Infections of gastrointestinal parasites in pigs are well documented in different parts of the world. However, studies in the Philippines are limited, and there is none in Cebu. This study surveyed seven commercial farms in Cebu, Philippines for the detection of common gastrointestinal parasites in pigs. All production phases of the seven farms tested positive for parasites. The different parasites detected were Balantidium coli, Strongyloides spp., Ascaris spp., Isospora spp., Hyostrongylus spp., Metastrongylus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Taenia spp., Trichostrongylus spp., and Trichuris spp.  Out of the 813 stool pools collected, 78.2% were found to be positive for parasites where 66.3% were infected with 2 or more parasites. The positivity rate in farms with pens of cemented floor types was higher (58.9%) than those with slatted floors (41.1%). Concurrent multiple infections were observed to be more common than single infections and were high in farms with concrete floors and with no deworming programs.  This study is the first survey on gastrointestinal parasites among commercial swine farms in Cebu, Philippines.