title: Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in pigs in Lusaka, Zambia.
abstract: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of  Cryptosporidium spp. and  Giardia  duodenalis in pigs which were being raised in intensive management systems. Faecal  samples were collected from pigs of all age groups from three different piggery units. Samples  were collected directly from the rectum for piglets and weaners and from the floor within  2 min - 5 min of excretion for sows and boars. At the time of collection, faecal consistency  was noted as being normal, pasty or diarrhoeic. Samples were analysed further using the  Merifluor® Cryptosporidium/Giardia immunofluorescence assay. All piggeries had at least one  pig infected with either parasite. From a total 217 samples collected, 96 (44.2%; confidence  interval [CI] = 37.6% - 50.9%) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., whilst 26 (12%; CI = 7.6%  - 16.3%) had G. duodenalis parasites. Of all the pigs, 6.9% (15/217) harboured both parasites.  With regard to Cryptosporidium spp. infection, statistically significant differences were observed  amongst the three units (p = 0.001), whereas no significant differences were observed for  G. duodenalis infection (p = 0.13). Prevalence was higher in weaners as compared to other pig  classes for both parasites, with significant differences being observed for G. duodenalis infection  (p = 0.013). There was, however, no difference in infection between male and female pigs for  both parasites. Furthermore, most infections were asymptomatic. From the study results it  was clear that Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infections were prevalent amongst pigs  in the piggeries evaluated and, as such, may act as a source of infection for persons who come  into contact with them.
authors: Department of Clinical Studies, University of Zambia. siwilaj@yahoo.co.uk.
authors: Joyce
authors: J
authors: Siwila
authors: Kabemba E
authors: KE
authors: Mwape
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D016829:Giardia lamblia; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology