Occurrence of the coccidium Isospora suis in piglets

In the period October 2002–September 2004 we examined 2 996 samples of faeces of piglets at the age of 2–47 days. Samples were collected as so called “composite” ones from the pen floor. Samplings were done in 8 herds in Ceske Budejovice district. One herd was kept on the slatted floor, the other herds were housed on litter. Coprological examinations were carried out within 24 hours after sampling, and Sheather’s sugar solution was used. Average prevalence of the coccidium Isospora suis was 24.8%. Isosporosis prevalence in piglets was highest on day 13 of piglet age (46.3%) and at week 2 after birth (38.8%). With respect to seasonal dynamics of isosporosis the frequency of findings was highest in autumn 2002 (29.0%) and lowest in summer 2003 (20.0%). In infected piglets the presence of I. suis was detected most frequently in connection with watery diarrhoeas (39.0%) and least frequently in piglets with shaped faeces (19.0%). From the aspect of infection intensity most infections (58.2%) were weak and fewest infections (2.9%) were severe. Isosporosis occurred on all examined farms.