Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism in pigs of Tripura, India

Pigs breeds are an important livestock species mostly reared by economically lower incomesection of people in India. Within North-Eastern (NE) states, pig husbandry is very much popular hence maintain the livelihood of the rural native population. Gastrointentinal (GI) parasitic infectionisone of the major constraint in profitable pig production in this area. In the present study, the GI parasitism was investigated in 388 pigs in the three districts of Tripura, NE State of India. The examination of faecal samples revealed 61.65% overall prevalence of parasitic infestation, precisely6 GI parasitic species; including 4 nematodes and 2 protozoa, while 46.91 % were the mixed infections. Metastrongylus spp. (17.53%), Strongyloids spp. (19.33%), Trichuris spp. (15.98%), Coccidia spp. (12.37%), and Balantidium coli (10.82%), were detected, however, Ascaris spp. was the most prevalentrecording 32.47%. The epidemiological factors including: age, sex, season, breed, area and farming system wise when considered as markers of study showed the highest prevalence of GI parasites in grower(6–12 months) stage, female, monsoon season, non-descript breeds, Khowai district and free range farming system, recorded 71.52%, 67.27%, 65.78%, 65.71%, 64.57%, and 69.44%, respectively. Overall, our study provides a baseline data for further investigation and formulation of strategies for control of GI parasitism in pigs in Tripura.