Gastrointestinal parasites in Swedish pigs: Prevalence and associated risk factors for infection in herds where animal welfare standards are improved

The global pig production has undergone major changes over the past 30 years with larger farms, more intensified as well improved hygiene and biosecurity practices. To investigate whether these changes, along expanded welfare, have had an impact on parasite occurrence, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Sweden farms where pigs are always loose-housed, floors solid bedding material is provided. A total of 1615 faecal samples were collected 42 conventional indoor from a) post-weaning piglets (n = 337); b) growers 345); c) fatteners 308); d) dry sows 277) e) pre-partum 348). Samples analysed using centrifugal flotation saturated glucose-salt solution modified McMaster technique, lower detection limit 50 eggs or oocysts per gram. positive for strongyle-type cultured to third stage larvae genus identification. Farms also responded questionnaire regarding biosecurity, hygienic measures, other management routines. Risk factors occurrence assessed mixed-effects logistical regression account farm-level clustering samples. Interestingly, prevalence Ascaris suum reduced compared similar investigation 1980s. In present A. detected only 43 % herds, highest (37 %) followed by (25 %). Small sized associated higher odds being positive, large (OR 159.1, P 0.010). Oesophagostomum spp. 64 herds again mainly (63 Trichuris suis 10 but <1% Moreover, Cystoisospora Eimeria 60 sows, respectively. Anthelmintic drugs (ivermectin fenbendazole) commonly used administered 93 farms. Toltrazuril against neonatal coccidiosis 14 use antiparasitic did not significantly affect prevalence. Overall, it appears that altered farming routines focus welfare solely resulted parasites, most likely due adequate practices instituted. Thus, there seems be no conflict between implementing measures promote adequately control pathogenic economically important parasites.