Intestinal Parasitism in Pigs

Also see Gastrointestinal Parasites of Pigs and Coccidiosis of Pigs.

Several different types of endoparasites can affect pigs. The risk of endoparasitism increases in swine housed outdoors.

Ascaris suum is the most common intestinal nematode of pigs. Adult nematodes in the intestine decrease feed efficiency and can impair vitamin A absorption; heavy infections cause emaciation. Larval migration incites inflammation in the liver and lungs.

Cryptosporidium sp is an apicomplexan parasite that attaches to the mucosal epithelium of the intestine of pigs ≥ 10 days old. It can cause villous atrophy in the lower small intestine; however, inapparent infection is common. Malabsorption and diarrhea can result.

Eimeria spp are common in pigs; however, overt coccidiosis seldom occurs with Eimeria infection. Heavy infections can cause appreciable enterocolitis in young growing pigs.

Hyostrongylus rubidus is the common stomach worm found in pasture-raised pigs. It usually causes little harm.

Cystoisospora suis is a common and important cause of coccidiosis in piglets 6 days to 3 weeks old. Infection causes necrosis and villous atrophy of the ileum and jejunum. Secondary bacterial infection of the injured intestinal mucosa is common. Mortality rate is often 20–25%, and many affected pigs are stunted. Diagnosis can be based on identification of immature coccidial forms in the intestinal mucosa by direct mucosal smear (Giemsa stain) or by histological examination of the affected intestinal tissue. Successful prevention most commonly depends on thorough cleaning of farrowing facilities to minimize the number of oocysts. After cleaning, thorough disinfection with 50% bleach can be useful. Coccidiostats are sometimes fed to sows 2 weeks before farrowing or administered orally to pigs from birth to 3 weeks old.

Whipworms, cecum, pig

Image

Adult whipworms embedded in the cecal mucosa of a grower-finisher pig. Note the thickening of the mucosal folds due to inflammation from the parasites.

Courtesy of Dr. Bruce Janke.

Adult nodular worms of Oesophagostomum spp in the large intestine cause little harm; however, heavy infection by larvae encysted in the intestinal wall can lead to emaciation.

Strongyloides ransomi (intestinal threadworm) larvae can be transmitted via colostrum or acquired from contaminated skin of the dam. Heavily infected piglets develop severe diarrhea when 10–14 days old, with high mortality. Diagnosis is based on direct microscopic examination of mucosal scrapings.

Trichuris suis (whipworms) penetrate the mucosa of the cecum and colon and cause multifocal inflammation. Heavy infections cause diarrhea and emaciation. Feces are hemorrhagic; therefore, heavy whipworm infections may be confused clinically with swine dysentery or proliferative enteropathy. Diagnosis is based on direct observation of whipworms in the large intestine or on fecal flotation (see image of whipworms).