Factores de riesgo asociados a la infección por Cystoisospora suis en granjas porcinas de la región central de Venezuela

• Published in: Revista de medicina veterinaria y de zootecnia 2017-05, Vol.64 (2), p.25-43
• Main Authors: Pinilla-León, Juan Carlos, Da Silva Borges, Natalia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0120-2952; 2357-3813
• DOI: 10.15446/rfmvz.v64n2.67210

It was carried out an investigation in Venezuela with the aim of studying the epidemiological aspects of Cystoisospora suis in intensive swine herds. Sixty-seven intensive swine herds were included. For parasite determination 572 litters with signs of diarrhea, as well as 1,712 faecal samples from mature pigs were selected. Stool samples were cultured in a 2.5% potassium dichromate solution and later processed by copro-parasitological technique. Epidemiological surveys were applied on each farm. The results indicated that C. suis was observed in 55 herds (82.1%) and 210 litters (36.7%). Regarding to litters, oocysts were observed in piglets less than three days of life, which could indicate the existence of alternative infection way. Regarding to mature pigs, there was a significant correlation (rho = 0.35; P < 0.05) among oocysts excretion in piglets and sows, suggesting that sows may act as infection sources. Sows parity was statistically correlated with the prevalence values in litters as in lactating sows (P < 0.05). This might indicate that as parity increase, prevalence decreases in these groups. Probably, ­ these findings are associated with unknown immunologic mechanisms. The herd size did not affect the presence of the parasite, however, farms with plastic floors showed greater control of the infection. It is concluded that non elucidated immunologic mechanisms might be involved in the protozoa transmission cycle and play an important role in the development of Cystoisosporosis Porcina.