Reducing zoonotic and internal parasite burdens in pigs using a pig confinement system.

Aim: This study was designed to validate the effectiveness of the pig confinement system (PCS) in reducing the prevalence of zoonotic and internal parasite burdens in pigs.

Materials And Methods: Ten PCS households were selected together with 10 households practising traditional scavenging systems. Five pigs were monitored per household every 3 months for 15 months and blood and feces collected. Pigs received a single dose of oxfendazole at 30 mg/kg at baseline. Qualitative fecal examinations for intestinal parasite stages were performed, and serum was tested for antibodies to cysticercus of , spp., and .

Results: Based on fecal examination, the prevalence of pigs positive for parasite eggs was reduced in PCS pigs over consecutive samplings ( [14.3% to 0%] [46.9% to 8.3%], -type eggs [81.6% to 8.3%], spp. [6.1% to 0%], and [20.8% to 0%]) compared with increases in the number of pigs positive for parasite eggs in non-PCS pigs ( [20-61.5%], -type [60.4-80.8%], spp. [8.3-15.4%], and [20.8-34.6%]) and little change in pigs positive for (18.8-19.2%). While the prevalence of pigs with antibodies against to cysticerci of reduced in PCS pigs from 18% to 14%, the prevalence in non-PCS pigs increased from 42% to 52%. Antibodies to were not detected, but the prevalence of antibodies increased from 6% to 10% in PCS pigs and from 7% to 24% in non-PCS pigs.

Conclusion: These data demonstrate the potential of a PCS to reduce the prevalence of pigs infected with zoonotic and internal parasites and thus the risk to human and pig health.