Ling, Foong Tong
(2014)
Detection of intestinal parasites and
balantidium coli in farmed pigs in Kelantan via microscopy and molecular techniques.
Project Report.
Universiti Sains Malaysia.
(Submitted)
Abstract
Pigs are found throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the world. These
animals are hosts to numerous intestinal parasites, which include the zoonotic
Balantidium coli. Intestinal parasites cause detrimental effect to the growth rate and
health status of pigs, which ultimately decrease the income of pig farmers. In
addition, zoonotic parasite such as B. coli harbors by pigs may infect farmers and
people who stay near pig farms. Hence, this preliminary study aimed to identify
intestinal helminths and/or protozoa in pigs reared in Kelantan. An in-house duplex
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to detect B. coli in the stool
specimens. A total of 33 pig faecal specimens were randomly collected from farmed
pigs in Kelantan. Direct wet mount and formalin ether concentration methods were
used to examine the stool specimens for presence of intestinal parasites. DNA
detection of B. coli was performed using an in-house duplex PCR assay that
amplified l 8S rRNA gene of B. coli. Plasmodium falciparum gene was incorporated
as the internal control to rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in false negative
DNA specimens. Results showed that 78.8% of the pigs were positive with one or
more parasites. By direct wet mount, Ascaris sp., Trichuris ova-like sp.,
Balantidium-like cyst and other unknown parasites were found in 13 (39.4%), 3
(9.1%), 3 (9.1%) and 14 (42.4%) specimens, respectively. Formalin ether
concentration method showed that 15 (45.5%) specimens were positive for Ascaris
sp., 12 (36.4%) for Trichuris ova-like sp., and 17 (51.5%) contained unknown parasites. Interestingly, all the 3 positive stool samples for Balantidium-like cysts
were negative for B. coli when screened with the in-house duplex PCR assay. In
conclusion, this study showed that many of the local Kelantan pigs were infected
with ascariasis and trichuriasis but none were infected with the zoonotic B. coli.
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
