Teaming up for animal health
Strongyloides ransomi and Trichuris suis in Pigs: Indicators for Hygiene on a Social Day Care Farm T.F. Duinhof1, M.A.M. Houben1, D.C.K. van Doorn1, M.J. Geudeke1, 1
GD Animal Health, Deventer, The Netherlands
Background and Introduction An increasing number of patients is taken care of at social day care facilities on farms with animals. This paper describes the detection of Strongyloides ransomi (threadworm) and Trichuris suis (whipworm) in pigs on a social day care farm for disabled people. The farm was also open to the public, and included 41 pigs, 7 cows, and a farm store selling vegetables, cheese and meat. The pigs showed clinical signs of chronic growth retardation, wasting and skin lesions suggestive for mange infection. Detection of S. ransomi and T. suis was documented for the first time in the Netherlands. Although ubiquitous, these nematodes are rarely found in modern pig farming.
Conclusion and Discussion Although Strongyloides ransomi and Trichuris suis do not pose a zoonotic danger, they do indicate lack of hygiene and insufficient healthcare, highlighting the possible risks for the presence of zoonotic diseases. This is all the more important because an increasing number of patients is taken care of at social day care facilities on farms with animals. Material, Methods and Results In April 2016 eggs of S. ransomi and T. suis were found in fecal samples taken from four pens with finishers of 4 to 15 months of age. The fecal samples were examined using the centrifugation-flotation method. Results of egg counts in the fecal samples (table 1) • 5/7 positive for S. ransomi • 1/7 positive for T. suis • 3/7 positive for Ascaris suum • 7/7 positive for mite eggs
Photo 1: Visible growth retardation and wasting (Hungarian domestic pigs: Mangalitsa breed)
Risk factors for the occurrence of S. ransomi and T. suis, present on the day care farm • Straw bedding • No cleaning and disinfection of the pens • Access to outdoor paddocks with soil Photo 2: Egg of S. ransomi
Recommendations • Treatment of parasitic infections • Improve hygiene to break the infection cycle of the parasites • Improve hygienic precautions for humans
Photo 3: Egg of T. suis
Photo 4: Sow and piglets in a pen with straw bedding Photo 4: Sow and piglets in a pen with straw bedding
Table 1: Pens with finishing pigs: clinical signs and results of fecal egg counts Results fecal egg counts ** (number samples positive/ total number per pen) Pen
Age and number
Clinical Signs
Number of samples per pen
Strongyloides ransomi
Trichuris suis
Strongylus-type eggs
Finishers
11 months (n=4)
Visible growth retardation and wasting
2
pos* (2/2)
neg
pos (2/2)
Finishers
11 months (n=5)
none
1
neg*
neg
pos (1/1)
Finishers
11 months (n=7)
Visible growth retardation and wasting
3
pos (3/3)
pos (1/3)
neg
Finishers
15 months (n=2)
Visible growth retardation and wasting, crusts on dorsal skin
1
neg
neg
pos (1/1)
7 samples
5 pos
1 pos
4 pos
Total * neg = negative, pos = positive ** in all samples coccidia and mite eggs were found, and in 3 samples A. suum eggs were found
GD, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands, T. +31 (0)570-63 33 91, F. +31 (0)570-63 41 04 www.gdanimalhealth.com, info@gdanimalhealth.com
GDOV1035/04-17
contact: t.duinhof@gdanimalhealth.com