Prevalance Study on Gastrointestinal Parasites of Pig (Sus Scrofa Domestica) in and Around Meerut

Abstract

Animal husbandry and livestock sector plays a versatile role in socio-economic development of rural youth of the country. According to 20th livestock census (2019) of India, there are 0.41 million rural and urban indigenous pigs residing in Uttar Pradesh, India. Among the livestock species, pig fits into an important place as it being reared by socio-economically weaker people of the society. Internal parasites are causing major constraints to successful and sustainable production in swine industry. Gastrointestinal parasites in pigs affects the performance of efficient feed conversion, decreased weight gain, poor growth rate and the condemnation of affected organs after slaughter. In the present study, total 642 faecal samples were collected from pigs for a period of one year in 2020-21 in and around Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. 642 faecal samples from pigs were examined under microscope. Total 642 samples were screend during study period out of which 217 samples were studied in monsoon season (July-October), 214 samples were studied in post monsoon season (November-February) and 211 samples were studied in pre monsoon season (March-June). Total sample found to be positive was 414 out of which 170 was positive in monsoon, 127 in pre monsoon and 117 in post monsoon. The overall prevalence rate recorded for gastrointestinal parasites in pigs was 64.4% with high significance (p>0.01), having the highest incidence in monsoon season (78.34%) followed by pre monsoon 60.19% and in post monsoon 54.67%. Ascaris suum (30.43%) was most prevalent gastrointestinal parasites followed by Strongyle eggs (11.59%), Coccidian oocyst (10.14%), Balantidium coli (8.21%), Giardia spp.(7%),Cryptosporidium spp.(6.52%), Amphistomes (6.03%), Strongyloides eggs (5.79%), Fasciolopsis buski (4.34%), Trichuris suis (3.86%), Schistosoma incognitum (3.36%) and M.hirudinaceus(2.65%).Only strongyle eggs was found to be highly significant (p>0.01). Present study will be helpful in designing of effective control strategy of parasitic infections for optimum production in porcine industry as well as prevention measures of zoonotic disease.