Natural trematode infestation in feral Nebrodi Black pigs: pathological investigations.
Few studies describe the parasites of pigs bred in the wild state, although pigs are a known reservoir of trematode infestation. This article reports the results of a retrospective study carried out from January 2003 to June 2007 on 3021 Nebrodi Black male and female pigs, regularly slaughtered, aged between 8 months and 4 years. Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum flukes were detected in 143 (4.37%) of 3021 livers. The predominant histological features were multifocal to diffuse chronic hepatitis, with fibrosis and severely thickened walls of the bile ducts and chronic parietal, sometimes nodular inflammation. F. hepatica infestation was frequently associated with marked hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the submucosal glands. The study results confirm the important role swine play in the transmission of trematode infestations, indicate the prevalence of these parasites in the Nebrodi Park area, and draw attention to the need for a prophylaxis plan to prevent the spread of infestation to ruminants and humans living in the area.
Capucchio
Maria Teresa
MT
Department of Animal Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Torino, Via Leonardo Da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco (Torino), Italy. mariateresa.capucchio@unito.it
Catalano
Deborah
D
Di Marco
Vincenzo
V
Russo
Miriam
M
Aronica
Vincenzo
V
Tomaselli
Amedeo
A
Lazzara
Alessandro
A
Amedeo
Stefano
S
Scaglione
Frine Eleonora
FE
Dore
Bruno
B
Guarda
Franco
F
D000818:Animals; D004011:Dicrocoeliasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004013:Dicrocoelium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013552:Swine / Q000469:parasitology; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology