Swine kidney worm disease in Cuba (Stephanurus dentatus Diesing, 1839)

The results of a two-year study on swine stephanuriasis in Cuba indicate the high economic importance of this parasitosis in view of its pattern of local distribution and pathological changes occurring during the endogeneous phase of its life cycle. Under the present conditions of pig breeding in Cuba, it appears to be most economic to base control measures on a strict observance of general zoohygienic rules and on several specific measures suggested in the paper. The administration of expensive drugs is uneconomic because none of them is universally effective in any phase of the life cycle of S. dentatus. It is suggested to direct research work to suitable preventive measures and the choice of drugs to be administered during the most critical period in the spread of infection covering the time from birth to weaning.