title: An abattoir survey of the prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths and Stephanurus dentatus in pigs in Belize.
abstract: In an abattoir survey in Belize 137 pigs were examined for gastro-intestinal helminths and Stephanurus dentatus. Hyostrongylus rubidus, Physocephalus sexalatus, Globocephalus species and Trichostrongylus colubriformis were recorded for the first time. Ascarops strongylina, Ascaris suum, Macracanthorynchus hirudinaceus, Strongyloides ransomi, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum species and S. dentatus were also found. Oesophagostomum species (45%) and S. dentatus (42%) were the most prevalent. The prevalence of infection with different species was compared between pigs of different origin, breed and management. Differences were apparently due to management; most species were more common in poorly managed pigs. M. hirudinaceus and S. dentatus were used as "markers" to indicate poor management. The usual methods of faecal egg counting were found to be unreliable for the diagnosis of M. hirudinaceus infection.
authors.affiliation: Central Veterinary Investigation Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Belize City, Central America.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gibbens
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Gibbens
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Fielding
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D001531:Belize / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal; D007080:Ileocecal Valve / Q000473:pathology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000662:veterinary*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*