Prevalence of helminth infections in swine in Denmark

During 1982-1984 the occurrence of helminths in 66 sow herds was determined by examining faecal samples from swine of different age groups. Ascaris suum was found in 88% of the herds, while Oesophagostomum spp. and Trichuris suis were found in 58 and 23% of the herds, respectively. Strongyloides ransomi and Hyostrongylus rubidus was not identified in any of the herds. The occurrence of both A. suum and Oesophagostomum spp. was strongly related to the age of the animals. A. suum was most frequently found in growing pigs (30% of the fatteners and 25% of the gilts), whereas only 11-19% of the animals of the adult stock were excreting eggs. In contrast the prevalence of Oesophagostomum spp. increased with the age of the hosts, from 10% of the fatteners to 35 and 44% of the sows and boars, respectively. T. suis occurred only very sporadically, with the highest prevalence being 3% in the gilts. In comparison to previous Danish surveys the present mean prevalences of A. suum and Oesophagostomum spp. were low. Extremely low herd prevalences were found among large herds with intensive management and housing. In these herds, the pigs were infected at a later stage in life than pigs in more traditionally managed herds.