[Helminths of domestic pork in Ituri, Upper Zaire]

In Ituri (Upper-Zaïre) pig farming is extensively and traditionally managed, animals wandering about in the villages and neighbouring fields. Helminths of the gastrointestinal tract most commonly encountered are Oesophagostomum sp. Hyostrongylus rubidus, Globocephalus urosubulatus and Ascarops strongylina. Parasitic burdens are low and gross lesions not frequently seen except nodules of oesophagostomiasis. Infections with Metastrongylus salmi and Metastrongylus pudendoctus have a very high prevalence (between 64 and 86%) causing gross lesions of pneumonia on the diaphragmatic lobes. The present socio-economic pattern of pig production in Ituri doesn't allow hardly to plan a rational control of helminth disease by use of drugs. Hydatidosis (Echinococcus granulosus) seeming to be absent in this area of Zaïre, the only serious helminthic zoonosis we have to take into account is cysticercosis due to Cysticercus cellulosae. Its very high endemicity (between 10 and 30%) will have to lead the veterinary service to improve the search and destruction of infected carcasses.